JEWISH EXILES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1933, Page 8

JEWISH EXILES

N.Z. UNIVERSITY PLAN,

TO ADD SCIENTIST TO STAFF

AaJCKLAND, November 20,

It is' highly probable that one of the many Jewish scientists driven from Germany by the .policy of the Nazi Government will be temporarily added to the , staff of the Auckland University College, the council of which has resolved to apply for the services of a physicist through the. Academic Assistance Council in London.

The professor of physics, Professor Burbidge, -who is on a sabbatical year’s leave, wrote from London at the end of September stating that lie had been in communication with the Academic Assistance Council regarding tbg possibility of obtaining for on® year, free of cost to the college, the services for the physics department of one of the men who, for various reasons, mainly racial and political, had been ejected from their positions in foreign countries. Professor. Burbidge added that those expelled from German universities included , 'many Jews of scientific eminence. The English council was prepared to pay the passage of one to Auckland, and to maintain him for a period of, say, one year. The future of the man would then depend upon himself and the support he received from the community. The presence of such a man in the o|o {lege .laboratories would be - a tremendous stimulus to the students, especially in research. The president, Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, remarked that there was an appalling number of academically eminent refugees 'from Germany, and he understood that among them physicists almost predominated. Before Professor Burbidge’s letter arrived some members of the Jewish community in Auckland had approached him on the matter, and .he had since. had further communications with them. It was extremely likely that if the college accepted the offer of the services of an exiled scientist, the Jewish community would take ah active interest in the project. The college would not be committed in any way. It would not be entitled to call on the newcomer to undertake any teaching, but if he. volunteered (o do any such work that ivnnld ‘be another, .matter. He would be given the freedom of the college laboratories for research. , Mr H. J. D. Mahon: His .presence 1 would be most valuable to the honours in their researches. j It was resolved that die application be made to the Academic Assistance Council for the services of a physicist on the terms set forth in Professor BUrbid ore’s letter.