MANUFACTURERS WANT EXPANSION OF I.D.D.

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28661, 11 August 1958, Page 10

MANUFACTURERS WANT EXPANSION OF I.D.D.

“The question of buildings and provision for expansion in the near future of the University of Canterbury Industrial Development Department is one of vital interest to the Manufacturers' Association, and I, with other members of the association on the committee will make every effort to see that adequate provision is -made for this department at the new university site at Tlam’,” says Mr F. C. Penfold in a special section of the annual report of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association. “The operation of the department has been successful both technically and financially,” Mr Penfold says. “Excluding any work carried out for departments of the university, the cash recovery for work undertaken amounted to £16,000. This figure indicates the extent to which the resources of this university department are being usfcd. The number of projects, large and small, handled over the last year was 630. The demands being made on the department tax the available facilities to the utmost. “Consideration has been given to employing more professional staff, but the building is already overcrowded, and until new premises are available, a ceiling has been reached in the department’s activities.” Mr Penfold says.

“This department has been operating for 10 years and it has operated as . a department of the University of Canterbury. - It has grown steadily and has proved to the industrial organisations of Canterbury that the university can contribute a great deal to their needs. I.D.DJ has

become an important link between the university and the manufacturer,” Mr Penfold continues. “The freedom it has as a university department has contributed in no small degree to its success. Such freedom can never exist in a purely government department,” Says Mr Penfold.

“Over the last few years the Government grant paid through the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been less than half the cash recoveries of the department and thus, from the point of view of operation there should be no difficulties in expanding I.D.D. work. The original intention in the operation was on the basis of approximately 50-50 for grant and recovery.” he says.