“GRAVE DISSERVICE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20115, 8 December 1939, Page 12

“GRAVE DISSERVICE”

NEW SOUTH WALES BAN GERM A N-ROR N DOCTORS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Rood. Doc. 8. 9 a.in.) SYDNEY. Dec. 7. A large section of the press is severely critical of the attitude of the New South Wales Government in barring German-born immigrant doctors from practising in New South Wales. The Sydney Morning Herald in an editorial declares: “The British Medical Association has done the medical profession a grave disservice by its over-jealous attempt to conserve its sectional interests.” The paper adds: "There is a touch of pecksnifiery in an attitude which debars Germanborn refugee doctors from practising here because of the war. These refugees are fleeing from the very persecution which the country is fighting to overthrow." The editorial urges the Cabinet to revoke its decision. A message dispatched from Sydney on Wednesday stated that the New South Wales Cabinet, following upon representations made by the British Medical Association, had decided to disapprove the registration of alien enemies of German nationality as medical practitioners in New South Wales. However, it had consented to increase the Government subsidy from £(i00 to £IOOO, in order to encourage Australian, New Zealand and other British doctors to practise in country areas where doctors were needed.