THE BEST BRAINS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 10

THE BEST BRAINS

FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE

' It wan stated at the Secondary Schools' Association conference yesterday that tho universities and secondary schools wero turning out each year a considerable number of young men and women, who, in character and ability, 'wero among tho be.., produced in tho country. Tow of thorn, howover, woro attracted to the Public Service. Tho conference carried a motion, expressing the: .view that the standard of education required for entry into tho Public Service was too,low, and that tho service did not offer, the prospects ■ available in tho business and industrial world to really able men. Tho resolution recorded'tho opinion of the" conference that the Government should recruit more public servants from tho ranks of students who have attained a high standard at school, or who have a high honours degree at the university. These candidates could bo drawn from a wide field owing to the ample opportunities for secondary education in New Zealand, it was stated. Tho resolution added:—" "In our opinion the entry of tho ablest peoplo from secondary schools and tho university would be encouraged by tho formation of a special group within tho Civil Service. From it those who have proved their ability could bo promoted^ apart from any question of raoro seniority, to high administrative, positions. In order to obtain the best men for the Civil Service tho selection of candidates for this special group should depond in the first place on a competitive examination. The existing examinations held by the university for entrance scholarships and degree examinations should bo a sufficient basis in the estimation of intellectual ability. Tho judgment of a selection committee whoso members would take into consideration the general capacity and personality of the candidato in addition to his examination record, would bo another factor. A third point would bo the eligibility in tho establishment of this special group of—(a) school boys up to the ago of 19 and plus tho -University Entranco Scholarship standard, and university students of honours standard; (b) and of all officials now in the Public Service, to whom eutry should be open."