DOMINION’S LOSS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26043, 5 January 1946, Page 4

DOMINION’S LOSS

EXPORT OF BRAINS SCHOLARS REMAIN ABROAD (Special) AUCKLAND, Jan. 4. Losses suffered by New Zealand because of the number of distinguished young, men who choose to remain in Britain or take up other overseas posts after graduating were referred to by Colonel Bernard Myers, C.M.G., who returned to Auckland last month after serving during the war as commissioner of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red PvfKC! <snHpfv “In addition to Rhodes Scholars, a number of pre-eminent students have been sent to England at various times to obtain further information on their special subjects, science, literature, medicine and surgery, and their allied sciences, art, commerce and others, and it is unfortunate that only a few return to New Zealand,” said Colonel Myers. . , “ Some 12 or 14 years ago the first New Zealand University graduates’ dinner was held in London. I am not a New Zealand graduate, although I attended several courses at the university in Auckland before leaving for my university career in Britain, and I had the honour of being present at the dinner and of proposing the toast of Lord Rutherford.

“In his reply Lord Rutherford referred to the fact that there were 100 New Zealanders present that night, and said he wondered how many of them would return to their native land. He expressed misgivings, being of the opinion that New Zealand probably had not yet been able adequately to reward financially the invaluable ser*vices which many of her eminent sons could render if placed in suitable posts in the Dominion. I feel sure it is correct to say that every one of the 100 students present was of the same opinion. “ The professors of New Zealand university colleges, headmasters of col-, leges and their staffs, researchers in scientific or commercial laboratories and others have not in the past received and, so far as I am aware, do not even now receive, an adequate financial reward for the great services which they render to New Zealand. This matter is one of the greatest importance to every citizen of New Zealand.”