TALENT UNAPPRECIATED

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 6

TALENT UNAPPRECIATED

LOSSES FROM PUBLIC SERVICE BETTER SALARIES ABROAD <P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 13. Concern at the loss to New Zealand of scientific and other profesional workers who have found abroad more appreciation of their talents than in the Dominion, was expressed in an interview by Mr W. F. Young, chairman of a committee which organised the submission of claims on behalf of the 1,500 professional officers of the Public Service to the Public Service Consultative Committee. He added that the Public Service was losingproi'essional talent not only by departure overseas, but also because highly-trained personnel are taking up other employment in this country. The reason 1 for this was that the salaries and conditions of employment offered outside of the service were much superior to those offered by the Government. Mr Young said it was well known that the Government proposed to embark in the near future on extensive development work. This could not be put in hand unless an ample supply of highly-skilled technical and professional men was available. This point was strongly stressed to the Consultative Committee by the representatives of _ the professional division of the service, who indicated that the only way to secure and retain the necessary personnel waa substantially to increase the professional salary scales. Mr Young; said the professional officers were disturbed at the delay in putting into effect the Consultative Committee's recommendations. He added that the professional group was supported by all other groups and sections of the service in their representations, and hoped that all_ the difficulties would be resolved in a statesmanlike manner.