Inquiry Suggested

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 10

Inquiry Suggested

An inquiry was needed into the organisation of scientific research in New Zealand, the chariman of the University Grants Committee (Dr. F. J. Llewellyn) said in Christchurch yesterday. He described the present position as “a muddle.”

“There are very good examples of co-operatiou between university departments and Government research agencies, such as between the geology depart ment of the University of Canterbury and the Geological Survey, but these depend on the presence of mutually congenial people in the two establishments,” said Dr. Llewellyn.

“The new Universities Bill, which had its second reading on Thursday, makes provision for the Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to be an exofficio member of the University Research Committee, and we understand that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research will always invite a member of the research committee to coun cil meetings when matters concerning projects of joint interest are being discussed. We look forward to much closer co-operation with the department through thesa channels.

"But this does not in any way clear up the problem of the organisation of research in New Zealand. There is an undoubted need for the appointment of a committee or commission to inquire into the organisation of research, to enable the universities and departments of state to formulate and relate their programmes so as to carry then: out most effectively and efficiently.” The grants committee yesterday completed its visit to Christchurch, during which it held its two-monthly general meeting and acquainted i'self with the situation at the Uni • versity of Canterbury and the Canterbury Agricultural College concerning buildings and equipment. The visit was one of a series made eaeh year to university institutions to examine requests for buildings and for other non-recur-ring capital grants fo r specfic purposes. At its meeting, the committee decided that, if the relevant clause in the University Bill was passed by Parliament, Dr. L. J. Wild would be appointed chairman of the University Research Committee proposed in the bill. Dr. Wild has been chairman of the present University of New Zealand Research Committee for many years. Under the bill, which aims at winding up the Uni

versity of New Zealand and devolving many of its powers on to the constituent universities, the activities of the present committee will be taken over by the new research committee. Scholarships Committee A nan-statutory standing scholarships committee was set up, comprising the vicechancellors of the universities of Auckland, Wellington. Canterbury and Otago, Dr. Wild, Sir Arthur Nevill, and Mr Justice Haslam. Under the pending legislation, the chairman of the grants committee will be chairman of the scholarships committee The scholarships committee will award and administer the post-graduate and travelling scholarships now dealt with by the University of New Zealand. The New Zealand University Press will be discon-

tinued with the dissolution of the University of New Zealand, and no central press committee will be appointed to take its place. The committee felt that the individual universities were best fitted to undertake their own pub-

lications, either alone or In conjunction with one of the overseas university presses. Consideration of the establishment of a second school of architecture was deferred until 1965. “The Council for Technical Education recently expressed the opinion that no clear demonstration had been made of the existence of a shortage of architects, although it accepted the existence of a shortage of architectural draughtsmen The grants committee concurs with this opinion,” said Dr. Llewellyn. “The committee would welcome the establishment of courses for architectural draughtsmen in one or other of the technical schools.”

The Government had asked the grants committee to bring down detailed proposals for the establishment and operation of the new Veterinary School to be established at Massey College, said Dr. Llewellyn. Discussions had therefore been held with the principal of the college on the steps nefeessary in the immediate future to appoint a professor of veterinary science and to provide the required buildings and equipment for the school.