D.S.I.R.’S PROGRAMME LIMITED BY FINANCE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29268, 28 July 1960, Page 14

D.S.I.R.’S PROGRAMME LIMITED BY FINANCE

(New Zealand Press Association!

WELLINGTON, July 27. Because of the limitations of finance and staff the D.S.I.R. has been unable to exploit fully the scientific opportunities to assist both primary and manufacturing industry.

This was the conclusion reached by members of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, after examining the staffing. research programmes, accommodation and budgets of all branches of the D.S.I.R. The results of the council’s survey are given in the annual report of the department tabled in the House of Representatives today.

The full implementation of the department’s present programme of work would require a staff-in-crease of 40 to 50 persons a year. It was found that over the last decade the number of scientific staff employed in the department had remained virtually static, while New Zealand’s population and total labour force had increased by about 22 per cent, and 18 per cent respectively. This static position had been caused primarily by lack of finance to employ and service large numbers. The council found, however, that the calibre of the scientific research staff and the quality of the research being undertaken were high and that there was close co-operation with other departments and organisations. During the last decade there had been considerable reorientation of the work of the department, some activities being curtailed to provide staff for new developments, such as nuclear science, oceanography, geothermal and Antarctic activities. But, in present circumstances, there was no further scope for adjustments of this sort. It was found that various phases of the department’s work would need strengthening. In a number of cases there were only one or two qualified specialists dealing with a wide range of problems of great national importance, such as geothermal investigations and iron and steel developments. The full implementation of the DS.LR.'s present programme at 1959 prices and salary scales, was

estimated to cost a total of £2,090,000 in 1960-61, rising to £2,265,000 in 1964-65. Accommodation for research units was extremely variable in quality and new buildings were required to house all units at a reasonable standard. It was strongly urged that provision be made for about £200,000 a year in the Public Works Account for D.S.I.R. buildings for the next five years. The council considered that if the D.S.I.R. was to be equipped to take advantage of scientific developments overseas, and use them to the national advantage, the Government must be prepared to purchase some major pieces of capital equipment in the next few years, such as a small nuclear reactor and an electronic computer.