The Wanganui Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1950 TRIPS OVERSEAS BY TECHNICIANS

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 May 1950, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 1950 TRIPS OVERSEAS BY TECHNICIANS

P VERY now and again a Government official is reported to be taking a trip overseas for the, purpose of securing further knowledge as to how things are done elsewhere. There is every reason for able men being sent abroad in order that they may be brought up-to-date in respect to the know-how of their especial work. These journeyings are of great value to the community provided the community which pays for the educative sojourn abroad is served by the beneficiary concerned after the wider knowlelge has been gained. The question as to how these trips are financed and how the Government protects itself against educating men for the benefit of other countries naturally arises as a result of the resignation of Mr. W. A. Bloodworth from the position of the Government’s chief designing hydro-electrical engineer in order to take up a position in Australia. Mr. Bloodworth rejoined the Government service in the year 1938 and in 1947 was sent by the Government to Canada and the United States to enable him to study on the spot modern construction methods. Now, with only less than half of 1950 passed, he has tendered his resignation. Were a private practitioner to take such a trip overseas he would be required to pay his own expenses and he would at the same time be unable to practice his profession and would consequently lose his professional income while away. On his return he would have to re-establish his connections and this, too, would take time and possibly some outlay of money. The public servant not only goes overseas at the Government’s expense but he also continues to draw his salary while he is away. There can be no objection to this. But assuming that Mr. Bloodworth returned to New Zealand at the end of 1947 he would be working for the Government for a period of a little over two years, applying the special knowledge which he was sent abroad at Government expense to obtain. It is to be assumed that the work which he did was of great value and that he applied his knowledge so gained to the advantage of the Government but it is still open to enquire whether the Government considers that a. subsequent ser vice of from two to two and a-half years is a sufficient return for sending Mr. Bloodworth overseas. If no contract was entered into with th<3 Government, whereby Mr. Bloodworth contracted to make his services available to the Government on stated terms over a definite period of years then he cannot be blamed for taking full advantage of his position and exploiting his talents to the greatest benefit to himself. But is the Government justified in entering into such arrangements? It will, now, presumably, find it necessary to send another engineer officer overseas before he will be as qualified as Mr.. Bloodworth to fill the position being vacated, but if there is to be no future certainty of service then the New Zealand Government is likely to find itself playing the role of a rich uncle from Fiji, paying for the bringing of bright men up to date before they embark upon careers in other countries. A full explanation of the basis of educating senior officers by educative trips abroad should be vouchsafed to the public as there may be misconceptions concerning them and their subsequent service.