Effect Of Brain Drain

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31306, 28 February 1967, Page 17

Effect Of Brain Drain

(N.Z.P.A. -Reuter —Copyright) LONDON, Feb. 26.

The British Minister of Education, Mr Anthony Crosland, said in London today that the “brain drain” had probably counter acted the whole of America’s foreign aid in recent years. Speaking at a Labour Party Government conference, Mr Crosland replied to reported criticisms of the European educational system by the American Defence Secretary, Mr Robert McNamara. Mr Crosland said: “Has Mr

McNamara really considered, when he lectures on the dangers of nationalism, the effect of the brain drain on the poorer and less developed countries of Asia and Africa? “That brain drain has probably counteracted the whole of American foreign aid in recent years. “Some of it has come to Britain and we have gained from it, though to a much smaller degree than the United States. Scarce Talent “But it is now a serious matter of conscience for the richer 'countries and particularly for the United States to consider how far this drain of scarce talent from the poorer

countries is morally supportable.” Mr McNamara was reported to have said that Europe was weak educationally and that the weakness was “crippling its growth.” Mr Crosland said that Mr McNamara did not seem aware that economic growth in the Common Market countries over the last 10 to 15 years had been appreciably faster than in America. “Can Pay More” Mr McNamara had defended the brain drain to America saying that, “God, clearly democratic, distributed brain power universally and if brains went to America that was because America appreciated them more.” “But one thing that God did not distribute equally is wealth,” said Mr Crosland. “The basic reason why brains move from every country of the world to America is not the education system or differences in appreciation; it is that America is the richest country in the world and can pay much more for brains.”