SALARIES OF SCIENTISTS

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25784, 21 April 1949, Page 3

SALARIES OF SCIENTISTS

“BRAWN VALUED MORE THAN BRAIN” MANUFACTURERS DISCUSS INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH <3rawn was apparently considered more valuable to the community than brain, said Mr T.- H. Lawn, actingpresident of*the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, when he reported to the council of the association last evening on a visit manufacturers made to the Canterbury University College industrial development department. The salaries paid to the scientific officers in the department, from the director down, were inadequate, he said. Throughout the whole organisation of industrial research, an organisation which was vitally important to manufacturing and the country, inadequate recompense was given to highly-skilled officers. Mr Lawn said, and he felt that greater inducement should be given to obtain the brilliant men available, and also to keep those at present engaged in industrial research. It appeared that the. maximum amount that could be received by 65 per cent, of the staff of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was £585 a year, and it was known that these rates were well below the rates paid in the United Kingdom for similar work, he continued. He had been informed on very high authority that some lorry-drivers were earning anything up to £lOOO a year, and there were girls in factories earning almost as much as sjientists. Mr Lawn added that by the term "scientists” he did not mean, only physicists but also engineers employed by the Government, and those concerned in the vital development of New Zealand. Inducement to Typists The Government seemed to be able to offer .plenty of inducement to short-hand-typists. so perhaps it could offer some to scientists, said Mr D. V. Wilson. Mr D. S. Dott and several other members supported Mr Lawn’s remarks, and on Mr Dott’s suggestion it was decided to ask the Manufacturers’ Federation to investigate the' employment of and salaries paid to scientific workers. Referring to the work of the Industrial Development Department. Mr Lawn said the department was on trial, and its continuation depended on .e amount of support given by manufacturers.

Tongan Airfield.— A deviation will be made in flight of the Pan American Airways clipper Malay, which will leave Auckland for Seattle today. It will fly via .Tongatabu, an island in the Tongan group, so that the airfield there can be checked for possible use as an alternative landing field.— (P.A.)