“EXPORT OF BRAINS"

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29251, 8 July 1960, Page 15

“EXPORT OF BRAINS"

Figures Before Chamber During 1958-59, 8916 persons left New Zealand “permanently” (for more than a year), but of this total only 4382 had lived in New Zealand for 10 years or more. Those bom in. New Zealand and over 21 who departed “permanently” numbered 4109—1951 men and 2158 women. Persons aged between 20 and 80 in the professional and scientific classes who departed “permanently” numbered only 1700— 800 men and 900 Women. The information, obtained as the result of a previous discussion on an alleged “export of brains” from New Zealand was given to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce council last evening. Of the 1700 in the professional and technical classes who left New Zealand, about 520 were nurses and about 470 were teachers or university lecturers. The next biggest groups were clergy, both men and women (about 200), and engineers, surveyors, and draughtsmen (about 130). Discussing the statistical interpretation of a “permanent” departure, Mr B. J. Drake asked if when persons returned they were classed as “immigrants”. "Otherwise, how do we balance the books?” he asked. Mr A. R. Mackay said that under the interpretation, he was a "permanent departure,” and his wife was also a “permanent departure.” “Yet we have three children born in New Zealand—you tell me how ” he said. ' . the president (Mr R. C. Neville).