UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23054, 3 December 1936, Page 11

UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

EXODUS FROM THE DOMINION PROBLEM UNDER DISCUSSION The problem of the graduates of the universities of New Zealand who find employment in other countries was discussed at a meeting last night, called by the University Club. An invitation had been extended to representatives of public bodies and commercial firms, as well as to members of the University teaching staff, and although several suggestions were made for the bridging of the gap between the University and the general community, no practical scheme was put forward for a solution of the problem itself. Indeed, the general consensus of opinion seemed to be that no effort should be made to keep in New Zealand men who could sell their brains in more profitable markets abroad.

Dr V. E. Galway occupied the chair, and, in the course of his introductory remarks, said it had been felt that the ideals and aims of the University Club were not being fully fostered and that the time was ripe for a meeting with all people connected with the commercial and public affairs of the city in an endeavour to advertise what the University had done for the community and vice versa, and also to discuss the problem of the exodus of graduates to other countries. The club had no power, but any suggestions might be referred back to the bodies represented at the meeting to see if any concerted action could be taken. THE UNIVERSITY’S FUNCTIONS

As a prelude to the general discussion, three short addresses were delivered which threw an interesting light on the history of the University, its value to the community, and the community’s assistance to the University. Dr W. J. Mullin traced the history of the University of Otago from the very early days when an eighth of the price paid by settlers for their land was set aside for-educational and religious purposes. He dealt with the steps taken by the provincial authorities to inaugurate a university college in Otago, its actual formation under difficulties, and its slow but steady growth to the position of importance which it occupied to-day. Mr J. R. Robertson gave his listeners some idea of the manner in which the University had been of assistance to the community and the community to it. The University, he said, had supplied the means by which anyone could obtain preparation for enjoying the best that could be had in the world in the way of science, law, classics, philosophy, etc., and had given many thousands of young people the opportunity of laying the foundations of a profession. An idea of the number of professional men and women turned out could be gained from the fact that in the first 50 years of its existence over 1000 graduates had gone forth into the world. This year there had been a total of 1405 students—the largest number in the history of the University—and this meant that the sum of nearly £150,000 was circulated in the city by them, and all of this went into the hands of the retailers. On the other side, the founders of the province had been responsible for the founding of the University. It had been blessed with large numbers of enthusiastic supporters, and since its institution the University had received over £366,000 in contributions from individuals and various bodies. There were 27 local scholarships at Otago University contributed by institutions and individuals as against 25 in all the other university colleges together. The University, Mr Robertson concluded, had worthy traditions and it was their duty to support it. Mr H. P. Kidson, rector of the Otago Boys’ High School, referred to the actual products of the universities of New Zealand. The bulk of the professional men in the Dominion, he said, had gone through the universities, and abroad they made a splendid imEfion. Their Rhodes scholars stood compared with the scholars from other countries, but too many of them were poorly rewarded in New Zealand. Consequently they stayed abroad; it was inevitable that some should do so, but the list was too large. Mr Kidson referred in detail to many of the prominent graduates of the university colleges—a list which

showed that the great majority had secured lucrative employment in other lands. He hoped, he said in conclusion, that the business men present would take an interest in the University, which was doing its work shockingly understaffed and with equipment that was in some cases inadequate. THE GRADUATE PROBLEM

Dr Galway introduced the discussion by asking the question whether New Zealand as a young and expanding country could afford to employ the men whose brilliancy made it possible for them to obtain better positions elsewhere?

Mr H. P. West, secretary of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, assured the meeting that the chamber was taking a lively interest in the university, which, it considered, was one of the main industries of the city. Members had paid annual visits for the past few years, and he believed that the interest could be kept up by these visits. The business men were only too glad to get into close touch with the university. The Chamber of Commerce also took a practical interest, and it was through the efforts of Mr Peter Barr and others that the commerce faculty had been established. Mr F. W. Mitchell said he doubted if there was a solution to the problem, as New Zealand was so small that for all the important positions which fell vacant there were numerous applicants. Dr Andrew held it was inevitable that such men should go abroad, and what annoyed him was the senseless “ grouse ” of some members of Parliament, who asked why they should leave New Zealand. New Zealand received men of brains in return, and it was an exchange even if they were slightly the losers. What was needed was something to bring the university and the community into closer contact, and one suggestion was that a principal should Be employed whose chief duty it should be to establish an intimate sympathy between the university and the townspeople. He should be the head of a propaganda department for that very purpose.

Mr C. L. Calvert said the idea of a director of the university was quite new to them, and he did not consider it to be practical. The professors and teaching staff should do their own propaganda. The University Club was a failure because the professors did not attend its meetings, and the lack of contact between the university and the community was due to the habits of the professors in keeping to themselves. The community desired to break down that, reserve, but the professors did not seem to want to.. The idea of making positions for graduates, he said, would not work, as they would,, go where their ability received more recognition. Ought they ,to be kept In New Zealand?

Mr J. L. Hobbs stated that recent legislation had made it difficult for commercial firms to employ graduates, as the basic wage made it necessary to employ boys of from 15 to 16 years of age. He was sure the Government did not realise what effect the basic wage was going to have on education. Dr Galway, m expressing thanks to those present for their attendance, said he hoped the meeting would be the forerunner of a larger movement. It was not so much the Rhodes scholars who should be kept in New Zealand, but the lesser lights—the ordinary graduates who were leaving the university every year.