THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21001, 1 April 1938, Page 13

THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Posts for University Graduates DEPUTATION’S REQUEST By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 31. "I assure you this Government will never fall into the error of slamming the door of opportunity In the bright and eager faces of New Zealand youth, ’ said the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage), when replying to a deputation from the New Zealand University Students’ Association this morning. The deputation sought better opportunities for University graduates to enter the Public Service. All the University Colleges were represented, the speakers being Mr A. P. Blair (Auckland), Mr A. M. Quennell (Otago), and Mr R. S. V. Simpson Auckland). The Minister of Education (Mr 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 Public Works Department, scientific and industrial research, development of meteorological research, plant research, expansion of the Geological Survey Department, and the activities of the bureau of Social and Scientific Research, while the new 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," said the Prime Minister. ■'Some of them have gained high distinction, and all have at least shown sufficient merit to hold their own in the field of competitive talent. It cannot be gainsaid that this one-way trade in brains/has been 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 are awarded It seems that such a result is contrary to the real purpose of Cecil Rhodes.” -nquiry Suggested.

The points stressed by the deputation were that the best men were required in New Zealand, but the best did not always remain In It. It was suggested that a committee should be set up to Inquire into the relationship between the Universities and Public Service, and to see if the educational system could not be made to dovetail more satisfactorily with the Public Service.

Mr Fraser, after the submission of a list of names suggested for the committee. said that for the inquiry to carry any weight it needed people who were well-equipped. "This is a bigger thing than you contemplate,” he said, “and we will be pleased to co-operate in an authoritative Inquiry. The Public Service is given more service than it is sometimes credited with, and there 1. a lot of loose talk about the best brains being forced to leave the country because there is no opening for them here. It may be that our education system is better than that of other countries, with the result that more talented Individuals are turned out than there are positions for. To place these men ' subordinate positions is a sheer waste.”

He said that he and the SolicitorGeneral (Mr A. E. Cornish) would go Into the matter and an authoritative inquiry into the whole question would be undertaker..