N.Z. “LAGGING” Role Of Research In Economy

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31502, 17 October 1967, Page 1

N.Z. “LAGGING” Role Of Research In Economy

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 16. New Zealand was too mean to get out of its own economic mess, Professor J. T. Salmon, professor of zoology at Victoria University, said today. Research backing the national products was New Zealand’s solution, he

Professor Salmon, who recently returned from a six* month overseas study tour, said that compared with overseas, the local situation was ludicrous.

Overseas universities were characterised by extraordinary development and tremendous research demands. In all countries there was an insatiable demand for trained staff.

Brilliant graduates were stepping into key positions to help their country’s national economy, he said. “These ehaps are putting something back into their country,” he said, “and this is where we’re lagging in New Zealand.” Wool Research Wool was a striking example where science technology could help New Zealand, he said. “Let’s face it . . . the wool situation is an awful mess. We can’t get rid of it so why not treat it as a raw material. Do our own manumaterial, do our own rnanuof it if you like? “This is where science

comes in. Look at synthetics. Twenty years ago they were as raw as it was possible to get. But they were backed by science and today they’ve collared the lion’s share of the market.

“Wool has to be content with something like 8 per cent of the market. New Zealand’s going to get nowhere at this rate,” he said. New Zealand’s entire approach to science needed reappraising and reorganising, he said. The Government was cutting everything back when it should be going all out to win new overseas markets. “If you get top scientists backing your products then you're going to get the demand for them. “Hardly Used” “But scientists here are hardly ever used and with the lack of opportunities and research facilities they inevitably head overseas where their talents are appreciated,” he said.

Professor Salmon said New Zealand was the only country with a department of scientific and industrial research tied solidly to a government In this respect it was restricted, frustrated and hampered, he said. Universities suffered from the same fate. Victoria University had been waiting 11 years for a new biology block. Tenders still had to be called. Oregon State University had built a similar block in Just three years Size Of Grants New Zealand university grants were far too small, said Professor Salmon. One overseas university’s zoology research grant was equal to the total sum available to science departments throughout all New Zealand universities. “The Government needs to recognise the lack of facilities in universities. We can’t get research equipment. And we’re so hampered by lack of space that we’re storing stuff in corridors. “If we get the facilities we can give the incentives to the brilliant student. At the moment we're inclined to strive for mediocrity and throw the brilliant student to the wolves,” he said.