BURSARY SYSTEM

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 31, 31 October 1942, Page 6

BURSARY SYSTEM

Students Of Medicine And Dentistry MINISTER’S STATEMENT Dominion >i’i< iai ''i in i. i DUNEDIN, October 30. Questioned today concerning tlie possibility of the Government instituting a bursary system for medical students to assist the sons of poorer people—a course which has been suggested in several quarters—the Minister of Health, Mr. Nordmeyer, said it was likely that such a scheme would be announced shortly. It was indicated by the Minister that tlie shortage of dentists was more acute than that of medical men, though the demands of armed forces had diminished considerably the ranks of the doctors who were available for the civilian population. The Government had already decided to institute a system of bursaries for dental students and an announcement would be made shortly concerning the number available and the value of each bursary. The provision of bursqries for medical students was more complicated, said Mr. Nordmeyer, in view of the crowded condition of the Otago Medical School at present. In the light of discussions which he had had during his short stay in Dunedin, however, he would make certain representations to the Government on his return to Wellington and advice of the Government’s decision should be available before the end of the secondary school year.

In answer to an inquiry on hospital rating, the Minister said the question of meeting in some way the additional costs of hospital boards was'still under consideration, and he was hopeful of arranging a conference shortly between representatives of the Hospital Boards’ Association and the Municipal and Counties’ Associations.