Besides its very important elements of challenge and variety, and opportunities for working on projects unique in New Zealand, a scientific career in the Public Service offers many material advantages. These can be summed up as good salaries, good prospects and good conditions.

Salaries

Commencing salaries are as follows:

Higher rates are paid for a Master's degree requiring two years' postgraduate study, following a Bachelor's degree with honours, or gained with distinction. Commencing salaries for holders of doctorates are substantially higher again.

Promotion

Promotion is on merit and ability and is decided by other scientists, not by laymen. Able scientists in their thirties earn well over £2000 a year. Some in their mid-forties earn £3000 or more.

Public servants work a five-day, 38-hour week, and receive two weeks' annual leave, until they reach the salary of £1230, or have five years' service. Then they are allowed three weeks' leave. In addition, all statutory holidays, a special day's recreation leave, and two special holidays following Christmas and New Year are granted. An officer retiring with 40 years' service receives six months' leave on full pay. A scientist may be allowed to anticipate part of this leave halfway through his career for overseas travel. Provision is also made for scientists to travel overseas on pay to study recent developments.

Generous sick leave on full pay is granted.

The Public Service's superannuation scheme is one of the most liberal. It is compulsory for those joining the Service between the ages of 17 and 25. An employee joining the scheme before the age of 30 pays five per cent of his income. This contribution is free of income tax. On retiring after 40 years of contributing to the superannuation scheme he receives an income for life equivalent to about two-thirds of his salary for the last five years—P.B.A.