LAND SETTLEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 12

LAND SETTLEMENT.

LIVING LINK WITH PEOPLE,

RESEARCH AND CO-OPERATION UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR'S OPINIONS. Piactical research and co-operation between farmers and those engaged on tho scientific side of farming were the keynotes of a discussion held at a committee meeting of the New Zealand Land Settlement League last evening.

Professor liiddet expressed his pleasure in being able to meet members, as he felt that much work might be done in co-operating towards making tho universities a greater factor in the economic life of the country and also in making the outside world more acquainted with what was being done in the laboratories. He had been interested in the league since its inception, and so far as he personally was concerned would be only too delighted to work in with the league as much as possible, because it was in contact with all parts of the Dominion. Research work must have that living link with the people who are putting into practice and turning to profit tho ideas developed by tho trained mind. Time and money were, of course, necessary, and it was hoped that working jointly theso might bo assured. Ho'strongly approved of the suggestion of a number of experts of their particular branches setting up committees to assist them and reporting to the executive of the league witli tho idea of getting proposals put into execution through the established machinery.

Dr. Belshaw said that he could not do better than substantiate the remarks of his colleague. Co-operation was most desirable, and in his particular field the assistance of tho league- was almost indispensable. He thought that members would agree with him that the problems facing the Dominion were purely economic, and the technical aspects would be solved if the economic

features were dealt with. If there was any lack of participation by the professorial aims as viewed from tho practical standpoint, it was v not because the professors failed to realise the importance, but simply becauso financial considerations prevented their doing much under the difficult circumstances. He felt that the league could crystalise the position and probably create greater interest in the work of the universities, and also enable them in their turn to do more for the community. The chairman (Mr. W. J. Holdsworth), in replying, expressed thanks for the excellent addresses given, and assured the visitors there was the most earnest desire to work as closely as possible with them in the work which they had before them, and to assist so that humanity as a whole might glean the benefits of research work. British countries generally seemed to starve the research aims. Germany, however, had made worthy progress, and New Zealand had much to learn from them.