N.Z. UNIVERSITY STAFFING

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27676, 4 June 1955, Page 2

N.Z. UNIVERSITY STAFFING

PROBLEM OF GAINING BRITISH—RECRUirS SALARIES HELD TO BE MAJOR BARRIER (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June a Salaries, isolation, and superannn* tion were the three major barriers tn the enlistment in Britain of top-grad university staff for New Zealand the Principal of Victoria College (Dr. J. Williams) today He has just returned from a gfr months visit to Britain, Canada the United States, on a Foundation grant to study the finance and administration of university col leges in those countries.

Dr. Williams said comparison of New Zealand salaries with those for sfaniEr positions in Britain was a mainJ hurdle to overcome in attractington. grade men. University staffs in Briteß had many associates in the same field with whom they could discuss prob lems associated with their work, and they had more liberty to move ronnS in industries and other institutionito advance research and improve their knowledge.

“The feeling that they would be isolated in New Zealand is not a fanci ful notion,” said Dr. Williams. “If could allow for better facilities in re search in New Zealand for university staff, the job would be so much mow attractive.”

Candidates also did not like the idea of leaving a superannuation fund in England, joining another one in New Zealand, and then facing the poaj. bility—which many felt a probability —of leaving the New Zealand superannuation fund on their return to England, he said.

Because of a reciprocal arrangement with Australia and, he thought Canada, university staff from England could move there and remain in a con. tinuing superannuation fund, Dr. Wik liams said.

He referred to the expected increase of New Zealand University students and the shortage of staff, and said“lt seems to me that the authorities in New Zealand will have to give very careful attention to making appointments to the universities attractive in a competitive Way. The United States and Canada go a long way to attract staff against competition.”

Dr. Williams said he had been impressed in the United States by the manner in which workers in pure science and in applied science collaborated closely. This contrasted with the degree of severance exif •’•••>. be. tween the two branches of i ? i n New Zealand. He felt the • collaboration vfould benefit Nev and, in agricultural science particu .y.