SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOLDIERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7565, 8 May 1919, Page 5

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SOLDIERS.

THE SCHEME IN ENGLAND.

GEN. RICHARDSON EXPLAINS

THE POSITION,

It has lately been suggested that a doubt exists whether some of the New Zealand officers and men who have been awarded university scholarships in England under the New Zealand Govern, ment scheme are as yet physically fit to take advantage of the facilities granted them.

Drigadier • General Richardson, who while in England was ultimately responsible for the administration of the scheme, was asked about the matter on Tu«r!ay. " I don't think there need be any fears about the fitness of the men who have'been given scholarships," he said. "The selection rests with a special hoard, at the head of which is Colonel Stewart, New Zealand Director of Education, and a professor at Cambridge University. An applicant has to show his educational qualifications, and must produce a certificate from his commanding officer to the effect that ho has done good service in the field, fte also has to show that his health is good enough to enable him to take the course."

General Richardson added that altogether 50 scholarships had l>een made available, and between the armistice and his departure from England 20 had been allotted. Ho indicated that the Board had followed a conservative policy, and had not awarded scholarships to any candidates except those who were likely to make the fullest use of the courses and in their subsequent! careers to give the Dominion .a return for its outlay. The scholarships, ho said, were not confined to Oxford and Cambridge A good proportion of the holders were taking courses in science and engineering at Glasgow and other universities. Onp object that had been kept in view was to prevent any sort of " camouflage." The scholarships were tenable for two years, and every effort had been made to sco that they were really worth having. With regard to university scholarships allotted to New Zealanders under various other schemes prior to the armistice he was not able to speak definitely, but he could say that so far as the New Zealand Government went, everything possible had been and was being done to assure that the fullest use was taken of such scholarships. General Richaulson said that he was glad to 3iear that the New Zealand Imiversity nas grants«g concessions vo returned soliiers. He hoped that no '•frort would be spared in giving the men all possible opportunities to obi *am university training in all cases : where it would benefit their careers. lie believed that there ought to be a. ! liberal and widespread scholarship scheme to meet the needs of returned men.