SMALL PERCENTAGE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 305, 9 December 1936, Page 6

SMALL PERCENTAGE

Rhodes Scholars Who Came Back To Dominion. Press’ Association —Copy'right. XVelling to n, To-d ay. A statement that Dr. C. K. Allen, warden of Rhodes House, University of Oxford, had informed him that New Zealand absorbed the smallest percentage of Rhodes Scholars of any country' was made in an interview yesterday by Professor 11. G. Denham, chairman of the New Zealand Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and professor of chemistry at Canterbury University College, on his return by .the Makura. from a visit to Great Britain and America. Professor Denham said in all the English universities he visited where New Zealand students had been or

were working, complimentary re- j marks were passed not only' on thequality of the student and his aablity' | also on the soundness of the funda- j mental teaching whirh he had re- i reived in New Zealand. One weaknss commented on was a lack in ihe I direction of less intensive specialis- | alion, caused by a deficiency in 1 library facilities, equipment, and ■ staff. Thus in New Zealand in a sci- j once department one teaiclier might ; be in charge of from 45 to 50 stu- j dents, w-hereas in general in Eng- I land a ratio of 1 io 10 was nearer the i mark .while iir one ve|ry fine Ameri- I can institution there was one teach- ! er to every three and three-quarter students. There was criticism in England ol New Zealand's inability to find openings for the men she sent overseas. Increased facilities for higher education should carry with them increased opportunities for the absorption of these higher-trained men. “I say' again,” said Professor Denham, "that one cannot speak . too highly of the standing in win ii our men are held in England. J should say that probably 90 per cent of the physicists and chemists we have sent .Home in the lasi 20 years have stayed in England’'—and done remarkably well."