Fuller Co-operation By Scientists Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30810, 23 July 1965, Page 12

Fuller Co-operation By Scientists Urged

Any thought of universities 1 in New Zealand running ob-l servatories, such as a seismological station, was ridiculous, said the director of the Geophysics Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Dr. E. I. Robertson) in an address to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand J last evening. He said he was not referring to the Mount John! Astronomical Observatory,! which was a self-contained observatory in itself. Rather, he was referring to stations that were not sufficient on their own for research, and where several were needed. Dr. Robertson, said that the Government was committed to one network of seismological stations, and from these had come many exciting research problems. The .Government would be quite happy to give the universities access to this network for research interests. Dr. Robertson said there should be more contact between the two major sections i of the scientific community in I New Zealand-rthe universities I and the Government science, laboratories—so that the I

fullest effect could be gained from manpower, finance, and research facilities, with each section retaining its own identity and independence. It was not a question of integration but rather one of collaboration and co-operation. Contrary to much popular thought. New Zealand could put itself in a wonderful position to give much scientific aid to underdeveloped countries. Dr. Robertson said. For example. New Zealand had had to overcome many of its problems with limited resources and limited manpower, as these other countries would also have to. Dr. Robertson said he thought New Zealand had much to give in the vital field of personnel, but unfortunately, the number of good men in New Zealand was limited. The only remedy was to “man up,” he said. Various projects of suitable types in New Zealand should be manned beyond their requirements, so that there would be a few extra good men available to help in these fields overseas. The question of personnel to aid developing countries, said Dr. Robertson, required a positive policy.