RHODES SCHOLARS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 51, 29 August 1934, Page 8

RHODES SCHOLARS

WHY THEY DO NOT RETURN

In the course of- his address last night to members of the newly-formed society for the study of public administration, Mr. P. Versehaffelt, Public Service Commissioner, said that comment had frequently been made as to why the "Rhodes scholars did not return for duty in the Public Service in New Zealand. The plain |act was, he said, that if a'Rhodes scholar made a success of his university .course at Home, the fiuaueial possibilities there were such that it would bo foolish for him to consider returning to New Zealand. "To do so," said Mr. Verschaffelt, "would only rolegato him to a subordinate1 position, whereas at Home ho has the possibility of appointment to tho Indian Civil Service or the Colonial Service und«r much more- attractive conditions than wo can hopo to offer in New Zealand.

"My own idea'is that the Commonwealth Scholarship is a far better proposition to New Zealand.. Firstly, it offers definite advantages to selected public servants actually in the Service. Secondly, it requires those public servants who have received the benefit of a scholarship and its advantages to return for a certain period and give the benefit of their studies and observations to tho Departments in which they are employed."