‘Money Not Reason Scientists Leave’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30954, 10 January 1966, Page 10

‘Money Not Reason Scientists Leave’

(New Zealand Press Association)

LEVIN, January 9. Salary was not the main reason for New Zealand scientists seeking posts abroad. The reasons were the lack of good laboratory facilities, lack of good equipment, and “a serious lack of enthusiasm for fundamental research at the top level of Public Service administration,” said Mr F. D. Morgan in Levin on Saturday.

Mr F. D. Morgan, formerly of Levin, is now with the University of Adelaide and is consultant forest entomolog ist for the state of South Australia.

. He is in New Zealand on study leave. Mr Morgan said this was the general feeling “of those scientists I know who have returned to New Zealand with higher degrees. Many begin looking for overseas posts smartly.” His impression from scientists who returned to New Zealand after gaining higher degrees abroad was that they were, in general, dissatisfied with the working conditions here. He would not have left New Zealand had it nbt been for the constant battle to get equipment—“it was a case of fight, fight, fight.”

In Australia it was so different—it was so encouraging. “Even if conditions between the two countries were reversed, salary-wise, 1 would still stay over there,” said Mr Morgan.

New Zealand scientists, on the whole, were extremely loyal and he knew of none whose intention not to return was based on salary considerations.

“It is just that the attitude of those who administer research is poor,” he said.

“I think things are improving in New Zealand—from what I’ve seen, and there is certainly an improvement in salary, but, as I have said, this is not the important thing at all.”

Mr Morgan said he still thought that New Zealand was “probably the best market in the world for cheap brains.” New Zealand had become complacent about its scientific successes, but while other countries were moving up.

He thought, however, that New Zealand was now becoming aware of this and was building again on the “wonderful foundations laid in earlier years.” He felt that larger grants and more scholarships would help New Zealand scientists gain higher degrees in Australia much of this was done by private companies.