RESEARCH IN SCIENCE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 7

RESEARCH IN SCIENCE

Plea For More Spending A plea for increased expenditure on scientific research in New Zealand was made in Christchurch yesterday by the director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Dr. W. M. Hamilton). . “Apologists will say that we are only a small country,” said Dr. Hamilton, “but New Zealand spends 30s a head on science and the United Kingdom expenditure is about £5 a head. That is the proper comparison. “The trouble is a lack of appreciation of what science means—although, of course, the scientists may be partly to blame for this.”

The development of two new strains of wheat, had resulted in increased yield of 25 per cent, over cross seven. This had meant an increased return of £420.000 last year, and would mean £1,000,000 this season. “The upper limit of what it cost to produce these two new varieties is £20,000,” Dr. Hamilton said. Antarctic Effort Dr. Hamilton, who was speaking on his return from Antarctica in a United States Navy plane said New Zealand was spending £70,000 a year on its Antarctic research programme. American Help

The programme could not be carried out on its present scale if it were not for the generous assistance of the Americans, he said. '

“A great debt of gratitude” was owed by New Zealand to the Americans of the Antarctic expedition. Without the generous and ungrudging assistance, the New Zealand effort just could not be maintained on its present scale, he said.

American ships had brought items of heavy equipment; American aircraft had flown in mail, supplies and men from New Zealand. American aircraft had flown parties into the field, uplifted them when their work was done, and laid supply caches for traversing parties. “Uppermost in the minds of everybody down at Scott Base is the way in which our American friends rushed to our assistance after the disaster at Cape Selborne where Lieutenant Tom Couzens lost his life,” said Dr. Hamilton.