THE COLONIAL SERVICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3885, 28 August 1928, Page 76

THE COLONIAL SERVICE.

OPENINGS FOR UNIVERSITY GRADUATES. MAJOR FURZE’S VISIT. A report dealing with the recent visit :n Major Furze, of the Colonial Office, t<> Dunedin came before the University Council at its meeting on Tuesday. The report stated that Major Furze arrived in Dunedin-on Friday, August 3, cor the purpose of conferring with the 1 nixersity authorities. The only possible time for the conference was on the Saturday morning following. There were present at the interview: Mr Morrell, Mr Gilray. Sir Lindo Ferguson, Professors Adams and Benson. Major Furze explained that he- had been sent to New Zealand by Mr Amery to confer with the University authorities regarding the possibility of University graduates finding employment in the colonial service. He explained that such an arrangement had been made in the case of Canada. The colonial service to which he referred did not embrace the self-governing colonies, but in? eluded such places as Hongkong, Malaya, Mauritius, East Africa, West Africa, Gold Coast, Palestine, Honduras, etc. His mission had nothing to do with the Indian service, nor with the diplomatic, service, for each of which there was a competitive examination. The services for which graduates were required were:—Medical service, including general medical officers, specialist posts, public health posts. Generally the double, qualification of medicine and surgery was required, and probably one year’s experience. The chief medical services were East Africa, West Africa, ami .Malaya, and last yqar 120 medical officers had , been sent out. East and West African Administrar tion.—There was no definite basis of selection, but as a general rule a man . should be between .21 and 30 years of , age. The chief matters to b'e considered in making an appointment were personality, character, and temperament. One hundred men per annum had been sent out recently, and GO per cent, to 70 . per cent, were university-trained men. The majority of them had obtained second and third class honours, and were usually good at athletics. The balance of 30 per cent, were men who had special experience. Agricultural Service.—This was a most important service . since nine-tenths of the wealth of the places referred to depended on agriculture. A considerable improvement was being made in agricultural methods in the colonies, and there was a shortage of biologically trained men, and especially of entomologists. Two classes were recruited for the agri* cultural service:— (a) General class to help settlers and ; to interpret the scientific work. . The qualification for these posts was a good scientific grounding such as a degree in agriculture of good character. (b) Specialists who should be holders or honours degree in pure science with post-graduate .trainins-. A series of agricultural scholarships was being provided : for 10 years from 1925 to form a nucleus of trained workers, the number being 18-20 a year, some for trained officers and some for specialists. The value of the specialist scholarship was £250 per annum for two years. . s The scholar would spend the first year under some leading man in his particular field of investigation, and the second year at a special school at Trinidad. The. scholar must agree to serve for three years, but a position was not guaranteed to him. Educational Service.-—The problem of education in Africa was a very difficult, one. It was the aim of the office ; to avoid the conditions which had arisen, through mistaken educational policy in India. Officers had to be found (not; necessarily educational experts), who, through special knowledge of native customs and sympathy with the native's out- , look, would win their confidence. Sixty., such officers had been sent out last year, r two-thirds of whom went to Africa. Other Services.—The other services comprise:—Geological survey, with from 16 to 20 vacancies a year, Government mining inspectors and Financial Department,, a few only. , ' s t .. In all, tho Colonial Office had sent, out 350 men in 1925, 410 men in 1926, ■■ and 475 men in 1927,' : . Major Furze also dealt with the method of selection. The report was held over for consideration at next meeting, together with a report from the Professorial Board.