After “Amp,” What Next
p. 110 · Read in the full issue
(From PIM Correspondent at Mangai.
Cl) WHEN a medical service staffed 1 youths of ability who had passu exams, at their home Groups w first mooted, in lieu of the highly e; pensive European practitioners former used in the hospitals of small islano some difficulty was experienced in fini ing the right name for the Polynesi: incumbents, who, it need not be adde did not receive remuneration upon j equal scale with the white msdicoes thi replaced.
“Dispenser” was rejected as too sui ordinate-sounding, the native doct being in full charge. “Doctor” could n be used, as the lads had no M.D. degr from a University (for which reason noi of them, still, may practice in NS though it was conceded as a courte title in the CL At last, the name “Native Medical Practitioner,” contract next to NMP, was thought of—and fitted.
As time went on, that word “nathi began to worry the young Polynesi. doctors. It sounded, to their ears, like badge of inferiority, as compared wi “European,” applied to high-salari heads of the ruling race. So the design tion went once more into the melting p whence, after much bubbling, it emerg in triumph, re-moulded, nearer to t heart's desire, as Assistant Medical Prs titioner.
Now, discontent is again felt. W “Assistant,” when the medico is in s< charge on his island station, with European doctor above him?
THIS writer suggests that a new a better classification, to solve t problem for all time, could eas be arrived at, as follows; — “Native” being disliked, and “Assistai being considered trivial-sounding, must fall back on “Medical Officer.”
It is quite simple—let European tors, with University degrees, be rated MO-I. AMP’s, I feel sure, would have objection to being classed MO-2, v Medical Officers of the Second Cls neither “native,” nor “assistant,” i what-have-you, though in salary rat; they may be a little lower.
Having proffered gratis this spleiu idea, present correspondent will now prepared to receive a well-deser knighthood—of the second class, course. p.S.—I am advised, by a visiting scic tist, that the above is no go. MO-1 s MO-2 are the official designations slightly-offensive chemicals, so on seco thoughts we’d better forget it.