TRAINING OF SCIENTISTS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25089, 22 January 1947, Page 9

TRAINING OF SCIENTISTS

SECURING DOMINION’S NEEDS INQUIRY URGED BY SENATE Alluding to his address to the Senate at its opening session. 4he Chancellor of the University, of New Zealand (Mr Justice Smith) yesterday urged that the Dominion’s needs of qualified scientists in the next 10 years and facilities for training them should be ascertained. The British Government wasted no time at the end of the war in making such an inquiry, he said. There were grounds for believing that training methods in New Zealand were not adequate and that more coordination of instruction and research would be beneficial.

To implement, this suggestion. Professor F. G. Soper moved “that the Senate strongly recommend the Government to follow the procedure adopted by the British Government and appoint a committee to investigate the number of qualified scientists (including teachers of science and scientists needed in Government departments and in primary and secondary industry) who are required to fill recognised scientific posts in New Zealand within the next 10 years, and to consider and report on any steps necessary to secure that number nf qualified scientists. Also that the Senate suggest that the committee should comprise representatives of the Government, the University, research organisations, and private industry.” Seconding the motion, Mr R. A. Campbell said he felt that the Government and other large employers of scientific personnel could gain much by taking the University into their confidence about long-range plans, so that sufficient personnel could be trained on the right lines. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Hydro-Electric Department would expand; but the personnel might not be ready. Mr F. A. de la Mare said that bv improving the prospects of brilliant young men, the Government should encourage graduates to return to New Zealand after study overseas. The motion was carried unanimously. British Adviser Mr W. H. Cocker moved, in addition, “that for the purpose of ascertaining (a) whether the methods adopted in New Zealand for training scientists are adequate for present-day needs; (b) whether better use can be made of the University colleges ir carrying out scientific research; and (c) whether there is sufficient co-ord-ination of scientific investigation (where co-ordination is desirable) and sufficient separate investigation of any one problem (where that is desirable), the Senate request the Government to join with it in inviting from Great Britain a scientist of recognised distinction with administrative experience, to visit New Zealand and make an independent report. In the event of the Government being unwilling to comply with this request, that the executive committee be authorised to make arrangements for such a visit and report.”

Mr L. J. Wild said he was glad to note that the motion was so framed to allow the University to take its proper lead in the matter.