ADVANCE NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Mail, 17 September 1902, Page 68 (Supplement)

ADVANCE NEW ZEALAND

A PLEA FOR NATIVE TALENT

(By the Hon. T. W. Hislop.)

After reading the “New Zealand Times” constantly' for a number of years, one must have forced upon him the conviction that we are possessed not only of a land capable of producing most of the requisites of mankind of higher quality and in greater abundance than olner less favoured spots (meaning thereby any other part of the world), but also of a country having means, scholastic and otherwise, for educating the public to take all the positions necessary for the management of the world’s affairs. You have in the “Times” duly recorded the triumphs of our youths who have afforded 11s examples of success in medicine, Indian service examinations, commerce, mining, music and other walks of life. You have impressed upon us the fact that we have the only successor to Rhodes, and have shown us how a New Zealander is to have the honour of “waking up” the British public, who have been so sluggish as only to bring under tlieir sway a third of the world’s population and to become possessed of only a little more than half of the world’s shipping and t-lie bulk of its commerce. It is to bo our proud lot to teach the same publio a newer and better political economy, the proper relations of employer and employed, and how to solve the problem of poverty. The comfortable feeling of gratulation approved by our joint ownership in such a State has, however, from time to time received rude shocks. On the Premier’s former trip to. England he demonstrated liis want of confidence in the members of our police force by introducing a gentleman to take

their management. * Since then, and notwithstanding the fact that New Zea-land-born, and in some cases entirely locally educated, medical gentlemen have proved most successful in the management of the insane, the Government lias thought it necessary to invite gentlemen from the Home Country to join the staff here. They also imported a head for the Marine Department. Our local civic authorities have followed the Government’s example by virtually declaring on at least two occasions that-municipal matters can only be properly managed by gentlemen got from abroad. We have had a School of Arts in existence for many years. The local director has prided himself upon the pupils whom he and his fellowteachers have taught; and many years ago, and since, we have been invited to admire models produced by them. Wo have also among us gentlemen who have been trained in modelling, and particularly one of undoubted ability, who. in competition with outsiders, secured the patronage of Dunedin when its citizens wished to set up a lasting memorial of the late Dr Stuart. Everyone is satisfied with the work, and it is declared to exceed in merit similar work in New Zealand done by outsiders. The Queen Victoria Memorial Committee set up in Wellington ignores local talent, and, we are informed, intends to employ a. Home artist who was a fellow-pupil and is a friend of the aforesaid director.

A few days ago we were informed that the Hospital Committee had determined to appoint an assistant to Dr Ewart, and we were told in effect that suoii an educative office is to be offered to the medical youth oi England. This is done at the very time that New Zealand youths are looking eagerly for such positions in New Zealand and other places, and while some who have been able to go to England were, in competition with English youths, commanding by tlieir education and abilities prized positions in London and elsewhere.

Other instances could fie given of tho preference of outsiders. _ Is it not time that we began to exhibit the confidence in our own citizens which we profess? Are wo likely to be selfreliant if we are always looking abroad for assistance in carrying on affairs? We hoar a great deal of fair trade and protection of local products. Is the human local product worthy of no consideration?