SERVICE ABROAD

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 127, 3 June 1929, Page 4

SERVICE ABROAD

OPENINGS FOR GRADUATES

A NEW SCHEME

Approval lias been given by the Government to a scheme, suggested by the Secretary of State for tho Colonies, whereby graduates of the New Zealand University will be provided, with an opportunity of serving in certain Crown Colonies and Protectorates in East and West Africa, Malaya, the West Indies, and elsewhere. An announcement to this effect was made by the Prime Minister (the Hight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) on Friday. Sir Joseph said that, briefly, . the scheme would enable New Zealand University graduates to be considered on equal terms with candidates from Great Britain and the Dominions for certain positions (administrative, medical, police services, etc.) in a number of British Possessions which were controlled by His Majesty's Government in Great Britain through the Secretary of State for the Colonies. By means of the scheme the New Zealand university colleges would secure an additional outlet for the employment of graduates; the selected officers would gain a better understanding of the Colonial Empire, its great diversity of peoples, forms of governments, religions, cultures, and problems of administration; and the colonies themselves should gain some valuable recruits. For tho first few years the number of recruits from Now Zealand would probably not be largo, but that aspect was of minor importance. What was essential was that only men of first-rate quality, and suited to the work in hand, should be sent out to represent New Zealand in other parts of the Empire. "The machinery for giving effect to the scheme," Sir Joseph Ward added, "consists of the setting up of selection committees at each of the four university colleges in New Zealand, These committees, to each of which is attached a liaison officer, will become the centre of information concerning the colonial services to all inquirers from the university colleges and to graduates. They decide whether or not a candidate is to be recommended for consideration by the Central (New Zealand) Board of Selection. This central board, over which His Excellency the Governor-General has consented to preside, will include as its honorary members: His Excellency the GovernorGeneral (chairman); Major-General Sir A. H. Russell, X.C.8., K.C.M.G.; the Director of Education; Mr. H. D. Acland, barrister and solicitor, Christchurch; Dr. C. M. Gilray, Dunedin; Mr. Harold F. Johnston, barrister and solicitor, Wellington; Mr. L. O. H. Tripp, 0.8. E., barrister and solicitor, Wellington. "Its main function will be to determine whether or not to recommend to the Secretary of State for tho Colonies for appointment the candidates who appear before it, the final decision resting with the Secretary of State." The scheme ipiposed no financial commitments on tlie Government of New Zealand, concluded the Prime Minister.