PAYING FOR TALENT

New Zealand Listener, Volume 18, Issue 456, 19 March 1948, Page 5

PAYING FOR TALENT

Sir-Your editorial dated January 30 is interesting and has much truth in it. You say "it is not in itself worse ‘that a scientific worker should have financial worries than that a farmer... should ..." This ‘is true, but I should like to point out one important difference-the farmer has a farm. You admit frankly

that scientists are not paid what they are worth and seem to think it is sufficient for a research worker to receive enough "to keep him from worrying and spoiling his work." As a scientist’s wife, while appreciating the realism of such a view, I cannot be expected to share it! In this country the tradesman who supplies our material needs is valued the most and paid the most. It is the tradesman’s wife who has the fur coat and her own car: the scientist’s wife walks, and in four-year-old tweeds at that! The scientist himself does not worry greatly about his material needs as long as he is fed at approximately the usual times. His navy suit may. be so shiny as to be visible in the dark: he will not be aware of it; and if it is pointed out he will not believe it. It is true, as you’ say, that though underpaid financially, the scientist does reap his own private rewards. It is true that he serves this generation and others to come; but no one lives on an exalted plane continually. I do believe the fascination of "the job itself is the best pay. Continually interested, he is always interesting company. He can find congenial friends and occupation anywhere in the world. Always,- even in extreme old age, the scholar is mentally young, eager to see what lies on the other side of the ranges. , To sum up then, we pay our scientists enough for a roof, bread-and-butter, and taxes. This is admittedly freedom from want. Should he expect more? Unless present policy changes in this country he will not get it. He may achieve "Free-

dom from wanting."

L.A.

S.