ALIEN DOCTORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 April 1940, Page 2

ALIEN DOCTORS

ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITY OTAGO COUNCIL DISCUSSION. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) DUNEDIN. April 16. “Thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more and more,” quoted Dr James Fitzgerald at the University Council meeting this afternoon, when he was opposing admission to a special three years’ course at the medical school of a Czechoslovak doctor. Dr Fitzgerald complained that at almost every meeting new applications, generally distinguished by special circumstances, were considered, notwithstanding that the council had practically assured the Minister of Education that no more aliens would be admitted. The council, however, agreed to admit the applicant. The discussion arose out of the application of Dr Rachel Munk. Czechoslovakian national, now of Wellington, for admission to a special three years' course for foreign refugees. The dean of the medical faculty. Dr Hercus, said the applicants case should have been considered at a previous meeting, and if it had been he could see no reason for refusal. Actually, the application had been filed away in error, a mistake for which he must take full responsibility himself. He now wished to move that the applicant be admitted. Dr Fitzgerald, opposing the motion, said the council had been given an assurance that there would be no more admissions of aliens, but at every meeting fresh cases came up. He thought that the application should be refused. The chancellor, Mr W. J. Morrell, said that the application should have been dealt with before. It had been approved by the medical council and would most certainly have been approved but for an oversight. The dean of the medical faculty further stated that he had received sundry requests from persons living in the United States of America to be ad- ‘ mitted to»the medical school. In this respect authority was given to Dr Hercus to decline these requests, in view of the fact that accommodation was not available.