‘Old Boy Network’ Of Science

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30840, 27 August 1965, Page 1

‘Old Boy Network’ Of Science

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 26. Scientists were not beyond adhering to “the old boy network,” Dr. A. M. Finlay (Opp., Waitakere) said tonight when the debate resumed in Parliament on the Royal Society of New Zealand Bill.

He was referring to a clause in the bill which provided for the fellowship of the society to be “a selfperpetuating body of selected persons distinguished for scientific research and for the

promotion of science in New Zealand.”

Dr. Finlay said he found the phrase “self-perpetuating body of selected persons" a rather repellent one. Scientists were people and “not beyond adherence to the old boy network.”

The Academic Francais was notorious for the intrigue that accompanied canonisation of members.

He voiced support of lay representatives on professional bodies, as they helped experts keep their feet on the ground, and asked if there were enough laymen—two out o f 14—on the council of the society. Dr. Finlay said he hoped the fellows would use the very great powers vested in them with some discretion. Mr W. B. Tennent (Govt., Manawatu) agreed with Dr. Finlay on the council’s composition. He said the Government should have retained the right, if necessary, to appoint a man with financial as well as scientific experience to the council.

Mr Tennent said scientists should be given every encouragement, especially financial support, and as many people as possible should be instructed on the accomplishments of today’s scientists. The Minister of Science (Mr Talbovs), closing the debate, said the New Zealand Society was different from its British counterpart in that in Britain there were other bodies, such as the British Association for the Advancement of Science, to do work which was done by the Royal Society alone in New Zealand. The new council of the Royal Society of New Zealand would function really as a New Zealand academy of science. At the same time there would be the member bodies committee, equivalent to the present democratically elected council. The committee would include representatives of member bodies of the society. The bill was read a second time.