PLEA FOR OPPORTUNITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19597, 31 March 1938, Page 5

PLEA FOR OPPORTUNITY

UNIVERSITY GRADUATES

SCOPE IN CIVIL SERVICE

ME, SAVAGE SYMPATHETIC

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day

“I assure you that this Government will never fall into the error of slamming the door of opportunity in the bright, eager faces of New Zealand youth,” said the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, replying to a deputation from the New Zealand University Students’ Association this morning.

The deputation sought better opportunities for graduates to enter the Public Service. All the university colleges were represented, the speakers being Messrs. A. V. Blair, Auckland; A. M. Quennell, Otago; and R S. V. Simpson, Auckland. The Minister of Education, the Hon P. Fraser, was also present. Mr. Savage mentioned the new activities of the Government which called for the services of trained university men, instancing the won; ■ the Department of Scientific and Ii dustriial Research, the development of meteorological research and plant research, the expansion of the geological survey department, and the activ ties of the bureau of social science research, while the public works policy made a large number of openings for men with engineering degrees. The Government; had done a great deal already, and could and would do much more. “I have always thought it a most serious matter that our most gifted scholars, scientists, doctors, engineers, and journalists trained in our universities should go abroad to positions offering more opportunity for advancement than they can obtain in their own country” he said. “Sonic of them have gained high distinction, and all, at least, have shown sufficient merit to hold their own in the

of competitive talent. “It cannot bo gainsaid that this one-way trade in brains Ins l '™i a most serious loss to New Zealand. I have been told that the percentage of Rhodes Scholars returning to New Zealand is the smallest for any country in which Rhodes Scholarships awarded. It seems that such a result is contrary to the real purpose of Cecil Rhodes.”