Scientists' Pay “Needs Review"

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 21

Scientists' Pay “Needs Review "

A “complete reorganisation” in the pay scales of scientists in the Department of Scientific and industrial Research is called for by an editorial in the New Zealand “Science Review,” the official journal of the Association of Scientists. The scales should reflect accurately the importance of science in New Zealand and also show a “genuine relativity” with university scales, says the journal.

"When regrading was carried out during a previous D.S.LR.-university relativity adjustment it was done behind closed doors and. left much bitterness in D.S.I.R. circles when some scientists—apparently chosen arbitrarily —got increases and others did not, without any explanation why. Such clandestine arrangements are not in the interests of the morale of science in New Zealand,” says the journal. “No doubt the National. Research Council for Science will consider scientific salaries as part of its terms of reference. “Great things are expected of the research council,’ but if it is to achieve anything

this must be soon, or it will be faced with a long period of rebuilding a thoroughly demoralised organisation.” The journal expresses doubts about the efficiency of the council’s appointment of 14 specialist committees to advise it on policy. “Professor K. B. Cumberland, in a radio programme, rightly pointed out that the appointment of numerous subcommittees, each of which has to report back, is the; classic way of getting nothing done while at the same time producing a convincing smokescreen of lots of activity and effort,” the journal says. “Not Required” “Perhaps the Government and the council both feel that any changes in the established D.S.I.R. research programmes are not really required, and that all is healthy in New Zealand science.

“Perhaps they feel that all that’ is needed is a bit of win-dow-dressing and another dignified ’council’ to advise on science-while leaving the. research effort and working conditions largely unchanged. “The absence of any public statements -as to changes to be, made by the research council certainly- gives this impression to the working scientist in New Zealand. He is certainly left with the' very real impression that, once again, the importance eg science in the New Zealand economy is being overlook® and that a dynamic science policy is unlikely to eventuate.’ 1