REPORT ON THE PROGRESS OF THE SCHEME FOR EMPLOYMENT OF GERMAN
SCIENTISTS AND TECHNICIANS IN AUSTRALIA

Promulgation and Initial Developments. As required by Cabinet in
its decision on Agendum 1266A of 10th December, 1946, this report
is submitted. The scheme is being administered by the Secondary
Industries Division in conjunction with the Employment of
Scientific and Technical Enemy Aliens (E.S.T.E.A.) Committee which
has met seven times to consider the qualifications of applicants.

2. The plan has been publicised widely through the appropriate
trade and business journals, the daily press, and by radio. Press
comment has been favourable, and has resulted in a number of
enquiries from industrialists to the Director, Secondary
Industries Division, for advice on the acquisition of technicians
with appropriate qualifications. The German press republished a
statement made by the Prime Minister, relative to the scheme, and
broadcast by Radio Australia.

3. Resulting from this and from the activities of the Australian
Scientific and Technical Mission in Germany, a total of
approximately eight hundred applications from scientific and
technical personnel have been received at the Australian Military
Mission, Berlin, Australia House, London, and various Government
departments in Australia. The applications received overseas are
carefully screened at Australia House and only copies of
applications from outstanding scientists are forwarded to the
Secondary Industries Division. The Secondary Industries Division
submits copies of applications received either from London or
direct from Germany to Commonwealth Government departments, State
instrumentalities, and private industrialists whenever it is
considered that the applicant has knowledge which would be of
benefit.

4. The Secondary Industries Division has also sought from
interested authorities details of the qualifications they require
in any scientist or technician who would assist in the scientific
and technical development of Australia. In actual practice, it has
been found necessary to make direct approach to high executives in
both Government departments and private enterprise to discuss with
them the possibilities of the scheme before a real interest to
acquire technical assistance from this source has been created.

5. In London, the Australian Scientific and Technical Mission has
been kept fully occupied dealing with applications received,
requests to locate scientists with certain specific
qualifications, and the actual interviewing of scientists in
Germany. This personal interviewing of applicants by Commonwealth
officers with scientific background has contributed largely to
overcoming the natural reluctance of employers, Governmental and
otherwise, to engage staff without prior interview. A short
personality report of the applicant, submitted with his Curriculum
Vitae, gives the employer greater confidence, thus assisting him
to make a decision.

6. Up to the present, the only two zones in Germany where
recruitment has been possible have been those controlled by the
United Kingdom and the United States. Recruitment is not possible
in either the Russian or French zones. On the 15th August, 1947,
Mr. J. R. Cochrane [1] advised that it was likely that no further
recruiting would be permitted in the American zone, and that
recruiting from the British zone was likely to be restricted
within two months. The reason given is the reluctance on the part
of the authorities to continue to permit the exportation of key
personnel in view of the necessity of reconstructing Germany.

7. At the Australian end it is also considered unlikely that
positions will be found for many more scientists, as those being
brought to Australia need to be top-ranking men, and there is a
limited scope for finding suitable employment for men of such
capacity.

8. It has been necessary for A.S.T.M. to make special arrangements
in Germany for the care of scientists' families during the period
of their probationary contract. This involves security measures
for retention of homes, furniture, etc., and also the supply of
sufficient food and fuel rations. Should it be decided that the
scientist is to be retained in Australia, arrangements have been
made with the Treasurer that in approved cases the Commonwealth
will bring the wives and families of these scientists to
Australia.

9. Developments Leading to Broadening of Scope of Scheme. The
original scheme as submitted to Cabinet had, as its main object,
the acquisition of suitable German personnel for Government
research and development authorities (both Commonwealth and
State), Universities, etc. Thus, results accruing from the
utilisation of the services of these scientists would be available
to Australian secondary industries as a whole. As the scheme
developed, it became obvious that there were limits to the number
of men who could be employed in this way, and it was decided that
it would be a valuable auxiliary service to allocate the services
of a number exclusively to private industry as an alternative to
Australia losing them altogether. By this time sufficient local
interest had been aroused to enable this to be done. In such
cases, of course, the industrialist concerned would meet the cost
of travelling expenses and salary.

10. As a result of negotiations with the Control Authorities of
Germany, a system has been evolved whereby a scientist brought to
Australia under these conditions must be contracted as a
Government employee and be available for general interrogation by
all interested parties prior to being allocated exclusively to the
industrialist. This is necessary as it has previously been laid
down by the Control Authorities that all information obtained from
German sources must be freely available. Where this proposal has
been discussed with private industry, agreement to these terms has
readily been obtained. A copy of the agreement to be signed by
industrialists, State institutions, etc., obtaining scientists
under this scheme, where reimbursement of expenses to the
Commonwealth is required, is attached hereto. (Annex A.)
The Director, Secondary Industries Division, reports that this
service to industry has been appreciated and advantage is being
taken of the facilities offered.

11. Departments and Industrialists interested in the Scheme. On
Schedule B is found a list of the Government departments and the
main industrialists who have shown a real interest in the
acquisition of scientific and technical personnel from Germany.

These prospective employers have either asked for copies of
applications which it is thought may interest them, submitted
lists of types of scientists in whom they are interested, or
submitted names of outstanding Germans whom they would like
contracted and brought to Australia for use in their respective
organisations.

12. Recruiting of German Personnel. The following details
represent the present position concerning the acquisition of
scientists for Australia.

(a) Number of applications received from German personnel-800
(approx.)
(b) Number of applications of sufficient importance to warrant
consideration by Secondary Industries Divisions-250 (approx.)
(c) Number of applications approved by the E.S.T.E.A. Committee,
where suitable employment had been arranged-34.

(d) Number of applications submitted to Washington for allocation
to Australia -46. (Washington approval is necessary before a
contract can be negotiated with any German).

(e) Number of scientists allocated by Washington to Australia-6.

(f) Number of scientists applied for to Washington and not
allocated to Australia (allocated to other powers)-6.

(g) Number of applications under consideration by Washington-34.

(Results of allocations are received monthly from Washington).

(h) Number of scientists arrived in Australia-3.

(i) Attached hereto on Schedule C is a list giving details of the
name, classification, and employing authority of scientists for
whom application has been or is to be made.

13. General Position. The application to Washington for the
allocation of a scientist to Australia was formerly not made until
employment was arranged in Australia, and he had been approved by
the E.S.T.E.A. Committee. Due to the severe competition between
nations for scientists, it is now the practice to ask for the
allocation to Australia of scientists for whom it is considered
employment will be found. If employment is not available, if the
E.S.T.E.A. Committee does not approve, or if for any other reason
it is decided that the scientist should not come to Australia, the
Australian Scientific and Technical Mission then advises
Washington that the scientist is not required. The allocation to
Australia does not bind either Australia or the scientist to a
contract for his services. This action should result in fewer
losses of scientists to other nations. Care is being exercised to
ensure that our percentage of rejections after allocation by
Washington is not high.

14. It appears that the main preliminary work of the scheme has
now been completed. There will be some further placement of
scientists, but the most important part of the scheme will now be
the arrangements for the signing of contracts and the transport to
Australia of the scientists who have been allocated and
successfully placed here. It is expected that the next allocations
will be made known during October, but that it will be late
December or early January of next year before any further
scientists arrive in Australia. A further report of progress will
be made early in the new year. [2]