NEED FOR TRAINED MEN

in the countries enable them to use this equipment effectively. Thus an essential part of the economic development of South and South-East Asia is the provision of trained men, whether experts or craftsmen, to carry out the projects already in hand, to initiate other schemes in the programmes, and to raise the level of technical skill among agricultural and industrial workers. It is for this reason that, in addition to directly productive projects, provision has been made in the programmes for training institutes, technical schools, research laboratories, field stations, experimental farms and other agencies through which knowledge can be increased and disseminated. These schemes, although many of them are small in terms of capital cost, are indispensable to the success of the programmes as a whole. 3. The extent and nature of the need for technical experts vary from country to country. They depend on the size of a country's own technical resources, on the success it has had in the post-war years in recruiting and retaining personnel from overseas, and on the new demands arising from its development programme. The Commonwealth countries in the area have in their plans for development laid particular stress on the expansion of agriculture through large multi-purpose projects. It is not surprising therefore that the keenest demand is for civil, electrical, mechanical and hydraulic engineers, experienced in the construction of large dams, the erection of hydro-electric stations, and the laying out and operation of irrigation and drainage works. Experts in soil science and management, agronomists and ecologists are equally necessary. Then there are those who have to direct the clearance of jungle and the planning of settlements in new lands. Others have to organise the instruction of settlers in improved methods of cultivation, the planting of new crops, the use and maintenance of modern equipment, and the introduction of power-driven equipment to cottage industry. To bring the multipurpose projects to speedy fruition, this wide range of experts must be on hand at the right time and in sufficient numbers. 4. India needs particularly experts in certain specialised fields of industry, agriculture, medicine and education, and, reflecting the nature of her development projects, a substantial number and a wide range of engineering specialists. But, having regard to the size of her programme, India's requirement of outside assistance is modest as her own resources of technical experts are considerable. Ceylon's requirements follow a rather different pattern ;in addition to the experts required for the major agricultural projects, there is a substantial demand for mechanical engineers, factory managers and production experts, who are needed for the development of its industries. Pakistan has since 1947 recruited a substantial number of experts from overseas, but there are many demands outstanding. The development now in view calls for further recruitment, particularly in the agricultural field, and the development of training facilities in the country. The needs of Malaya and British Borneo are comparatively few and the range is smaller. Here the particular need is to recruit experts for permanent service for whom there will continue to be work long after the six-year period. The problem which faces all these countries is how to recruit experts in sufficient numbers and with sufficient speed. They seek to ensure that projects for which the necessary financial and physical resources can be provided go forward with the minimum delay and that the necessary progress is made with the training of their own people' 5. In the post-war years there has been a world-wide shortage of experts of all kinds, including instructors and teachers. This is probably temporary but it is nevertheless serious in relation to the urgency of the needs of the countries of South and South-East Asia. There are already a large number of unfilled posts in these countries. The inadequacy of the training facilities

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