WHY THEY MIGRATE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 152, 29 June 1945, Page 4

WHY THEY MIGRATE

ENGINEER SHORTAGE

WHAT'S WRONG IN N.Z.?

Articles in the Auckland Star concerning the lack of financial and other recognition given in New Zealand, to engineering ability have called forth a number of letters, of which the following is one:—

"Your article concerning the shortage of engineers makes one think, and thinking, one comes to the conclusion that it does not apply to engineers alone. Many professions are the same. It seems that conditions that prevail here make it difficult for real talent to progress if social and economic conditions are against them. While that is so we will not develop the best of talent, and where the odd one attains to a high standard, that one will be quick to see the opportunities abroad and to find that one will be better paid and more quickly recognised outside his own country.

"It has been said that a lad should stay here and give of his talents to the society that has paid the taxes for his schooling etc. I doubt if any lad has the welfare of society or any other humanitarian ideals at heart at the age when it is being decided what he shall be when he enters a trade or profession.

"As we get rid of our best brains what are we left with? How can we expect men who are not the best to prove good leaders, planners or consultants? The reason is plain why we have to call in experts or send men overseas to find out how to do things. An expert in his branch is usually a man of vision, and with his high standard of attainment is better qualified to advise because of his knowledge of local conditions, but he is no longer with us, and while we will not pay the salaries that a man can command overseas we pay out far more in tripping overseas and experimenting and making mistakes, apart from the waste of time that is never made up.

The Career Of "Spanner"

"Take an example of a lad who through red tape and rules was not able to sit for & marine ticket. Those qualified to judge were satisfied that he could sit, and win, but the rules say that he must have shovelled coal on a certain pressure donkey engine or that the works must be certified as of marine capacity or his time does not count.

"We will call him Spanner. Spanner thought he was just being fooled around, so went abroad. He read of exams to be held and went to inquire. The examiners did not want to see a letter from the local vicar or" mayor (anyone can write those things), but they did want to see if he could do what he claimed. The result was that, having proof of certain years of service, he was invited to attend the examination on due date and show what he could do. Spanner found that it was not 'who you know' but 'what you know' that counted. He did well. His examiners were so pleased that they went out of their way to get him an appointment.

"The company to which he went have their eye open for good men, and when new ships were to be built Spanner was picked to go and work on them. He was given a roving commission through the yards and turbine shops.

" 'Ticket' followed 'ticket'; then the company wanted ships built in a hurry and on its own ground. Spanner became acceptance officer and shortly, while still in his 'thirties, chief acceptance officer, in charge of all repairs and chief superintendent engineer of a yard with five slips and a dry dock.

"Spanner had his ability recognised, but had he stayed here he would not have done much better than stand at a lathe for a pittance. Can a man be blamed for selling his ability On the best market? If we lose our best brains to other countries, how can we succeed in the rr.ce for peace and reconstruction that must be based on work and construction and whom have we left that we can rely on to organise and guide?"