ENGINEERING PROFESSION

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1925, Page 2

ENGINEERING PROFESSION

CHANCELLOR’S STATEMENT. AUCKLAND, March 5. • A good deal of parental anxiety has been expressed to the University authorities in Auckland over the recent statement of the Chancellor of the New Zealand University, to the effect that the Dominion was producing more engineers than it could employ. Many secondary school boys are entering college this year, and naturally their parents desired to know if a university preparation for the profession of engineeiing must involve migration to other countries for einpolymoiit. Inquiries show that the doleful outlook in the south has no justification in Auckland. Indeed, the Auckland School of Engineering, though still obdurately reiused full recognition by the University Senate, has a noteworthy record in respect of Dominion employment of its graduates. In the course of his address ill Wellington, the Chancellor, Professor J. MacMillan Brown, mentioned that out of eighty-nine graduates forty-five had not found employment in New Zealand. It seemed, commented the Chancellor, that the Dominion was overproducing in that particular profession, and lie believed it was the same in regard to other professions. Such conditions dn not apply to the Auckland School of Engineering. Alt its students who have obtained an engineering assoeiateship have found suitable emnloyment in New Zealand. No fewer than 42 former students of the Auckland school hold resoonsible engineering positions throughout the Dominion. These positions cover the whole field of engineering, and include responsi file posts in the State services, and also with Harbour palities anil private and public concerns. Fourteen graduates are members of the Institution of Civil Engineers. and seven ethers have partial A oua lifted for that status by examina-

t Kill. . .. As far as can he ascertained officially not a single graduate of the Auckland school is out of employment, and only CUP of its many associates has left New Zealand for employment, and he was offered and accepted a good position ill London. These conditions suggest that «eu Zealand employers of engineering Hull have confidence in the Auckland college training of engineers, yet the position is curious. The Canterbury school enjoys full status, but according to authoritative statistics, more than half of its oruduijtes who have taken the ucgree that is denied Auckland students, unless they study in Christchurch loi it. cannot obtain work in their own country, and must go abroad for employment. «