Volunteer Graduate Scheme for Indonesia on the Move

Two applications for the N.Z. U.S.A. volunteer graduate scheme in Indonesia will have been considered by the selection committee before Easter, and if all goes well the first graduates to participate in the scheme may travel to Indonesia late this year or early 1959.

The selection committee will make recommendations to N.Z.U.S.A. at its next meeting.

The New Zealand Government has formally approved the scheme, under which young graduates will go to Indonesia to work in positions where they can assist in the development of the recently-independent country's economic resources. Engineers, scientists and other specialists will work alongside Indonesians, receiveing the same rates of pay as Indonesians with similar qualifications.

For some months reports of political unrest and anti-European sentiment in Indonesia have delayed action on putting the scheme into operation but no reports have been received of victimization or embarrassment to participants who have been in Indonesia recently.

N.Z.U.S.A. has frequently reviewed the situation in the light of conflicting reports. It is now satisfied that tentative steps can be taken towards sending the first graduates. The only formality that remains to be overcome is the Indonesian government's final approval of the scheme, and this is expected in the next few weeks.

In his report to the Annual Council of N.Z.U.S.A. the president, Mr. Des Dalgety, says: "It is my firm conviction that ... in the first year (of the scheme) two persons would be a suitable number."

The first two selections would be top-flight choices—persons whom we can be 99% certain will be successful and will be able to guide this association and the selection committee as to the best ways of developing the scheme to our own and the Indonesians' satisfaction," says Mr. Dalgety.