EXPORT OF BRAINS
Sir,-1ZB is to be congratulated on the high standard of its panel of three that we heard recently discussing the subject "Is New Zealand losing its best brains?" However, I feel that there was an implied narrowness of outlook that was unfortunate. No speaker mentioned that it might ultimately be for the country’s good that promising young men go overseas. There seemed to be a tacit assumption that they had no right to go. There is a tendency fn discussions on this subject to over-stress the fact that the best brains leave the country, and to ignore the fact that many people, at least equal to our own, come to New Zealand to take high positions in science, education and kindred callings. If there was no export of brains then there would be no import-a state of affairs that would ultimately result in a decline of the cultural standard in this country. The immigrants-of~ the
"best brain" type+-bring with them a far wider cultural background than can be acquired by staying in New Zealand, and this has resulted in a general raising of the intellectual level. Evidence of this is seen in the growing appreciation of the arts, the theatre, and the necessity of higher education. e One of the speakers, Mr. Griffin, referred to Dr. Maclaurin and Lord Rutherford, but entirely missed the most important point, namely, that had Lord Rutherford not left, or had he returned after a short time overseas, then he would never have had the opportunities
to develop and make the discoveries he did. This can be said of many wellknown New Zealanders whose discoveries, in benefiting the world, have also benefited New Zealand. After all, New Zealand is only a small part of the world, not a self-contained unit. Too many people are smug and complacent in their attitude that New Zealand can provide everything any person should desire. I would suggest that New Zealand should encourage her best brains to go abroad, temporarily or permanently, so that she can import better hrains fram
overseas.
DUNSTAN ELY
(Auckland),
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19480618.2.13.3
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 469, 18 June 1948, Page 5
Word count
Tapeke kupu
347EXPORT OF BRAINS New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 469, 18 June 1948, Page 5
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in