152 SOUTH AFRICAN BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



ments " of the upper branch. As matters stand at present 

 a B.Sc, involving three to four years, and M.Sc, five 

 years, and a double degree such as B.Sc, Ph. T>., demand- 

 ing six to seven years university training, are frequently 

 treated alike. This "is directly antagonistic to advanced 

 scientific training, since it encourages a man to enter the 

 sei^ice on the lowest entrance qualifications rather than 

 upon the higest he can take. By so doing he commences 

 his earning life sooner, acquires seniority, and puts 

 himself into line for quicker promotion. 



This Society therefore wishes to urge that at least one 

 year's seniority, and increment of salary, be accorded 

 for each academic year, or unremunerated year spent in 

 acquiring special experience outside of the Service, be- 

 yond the minimum entrance requirements in vogue at any 

 time. 



Such a procdure would in almost all cases be covered 

 by increments within the probationary period of £400- 

 £500, since a student career of more than seven years is 

 exceptional and would have to be dealt with in individual 

 fashion. 



Recognition of this principle would undoubtedly en- 

 courage post-graduate study and research, bring in more 

 mature officers, and gradually raise the standard of 

 qualifications and outside experience possessed by 

 entrants to the upper branch of the Division. 



Branch of Science Practised by Officers. 



The grading suggested should be uniform throughout 

 the Service. One adequate scale should be made to 

 cover all sciences and professions, and no "Distinction 

 of Cloth " should be officially recognised. Where one 

 science is regarded as of greater economic importance 

 than another, or productive of more tangible easily 

 realised returns, the obvious thing to do is to increase 

 the size of the staff, including the number of senior 

 appointments above £800, but not to differentiate on a 

 system of " grading by subject ". 



