CIVIL SERVICE POSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22579, 18 November 1936, Page 17

CIVIL SERVICE POSTS

UNIVERSITY TRAINING CHANCE FOR RHODES SCHOLARS "If two "Rhodes Scholars who were properly qualified actuaries applied lor positions to-morrow we could give them jobs at £llOO to £12.30 a year each, declared the Public Service Commissioner, Mr. T. Mark, in n. statement concerning the appointment of Rhodes Scholars to the Public Service. "The Public Service at the present time is crying out for men with specialist qualifications," said Mr, Mark. "We can absorb a large number of our graduates returning to New Zealand, if they have specialised, particularly in the agricultural sciences, minerology, veterinary services, forestry or medicine, etc. We have just had to go abroad for veterinary surgeons, at £l5O to £OOO per year. We should be only too glad to welcome back any New Zealand Rhodes Scholars for these or any of the many other specialist positions that are available. There would be a minimum of friction, as well, in their admission to the service, as specialists, and their salaries to commence would be comparatively high." To encourage university study, tlio service rewarded the candidate with a double increment in his wages. Every facility was also being granted to officers to extend their education bv study abroad, and in special cases halfpav was being paid. I hey lost nothing in grading, and were given improved status as a result of experience abroad. Officers before being granted leave, however, wer,e now being asked to sign an undertaking to remain in the service for three years after their return. The age of admission to the clerical division liad also been raised from Ift to 21 in order to give boys, during tho depression, an opportunity of studying until vacancies should become available. As a result of these provisions, the number holding legal degrees had increased between 1913 and 1936 from 43 to 233. and those holding tho 8.C0m.. M.Com. or accountants' professional in the same period had increased from 18 to 531. At the present time, one in every four of tho 8000 members of the clerical division of the Civil Service was the holder of n university degree or professional examination pass. In the face of these figures, it could hardly be contended that tho New Zealand Civil Service administration did not appreciate the value of university training.