Integration Of Research

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29892, 4 August 1962, Page 10

Integration Of Research

| (N.Z .Press Association! WELLINGTON, August 3. Research centres are to be established at two universities by the D.S.I.R. A unit in agricultural econo 1 mics is to be set up at Lincoln College, and a unit in molecular biology at Auckland University. The move is aimed at creating better integration of departmental and university research. Government approval of the stop was announced today by the Minister in charge of Scientific and In-

dustrial Research (Mr Tennent). Professor B P Ptiiipott will supervise the hew research unit at Lincoln, and Professor REF Matthews will direct the new Auckland unit Mr Tennent said the units were being set up under a scheme whereby Government departments sponsored and provided funds for research units in universities m fields of study considered essential tn the national interest. and where outstanding work in the particulai field was being done at a university “The difficulties being experienced in the sale of our farm products overseas has emphasised the need for more research in agricultural economics. which has not kept pace with our technical research on problems of agricultural production.

"Little is known about the effects which various adjustments might have on the economics of the New Zealand farming industry "More detailed information is required to estimate the effects of the changes likely to be brought about by changes in overseas markets and' other factors " ; Mr Tennent said the' DST R believed the best way to provide this know’ledge was to establish a small research unit alongside a team of agricultural economists and specialists Mr Tennent said Professor Matthews had now been apoointed to the chair of microbiology at Auckland University He had specialised in research on olant viruses at the DSIR Plant Diseases Division for the last 20 years and would continue to work there until accommodation was provided art the univer-j sity. j