Explicit direction for research lacking

Press, 17 October 1987, Page 3

Explicit direction for research lacking

Government speakers at the New Zealand Research Associations’ conference in Christchurch gave a clear message that the associations should expect to take the initiative in formulating and proposing funding options. Members of the 11 associations who had hoped .the direction of Government research funding would'be outlined at the conference, which ended yesterday, were instead told that there was still a great deal of uncertainty about the future management of research and development in New Zealand and that no explicit direction had emerged. Government speakers at the conference included representatives of the Trade and Industry Department, the Treasury; as well as the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Tizard. u The conference chairman, Dr Stan Simpson, said the Government’s recent appointment of a sixmember Science and Technology Committee to study the recommendations of the Beattie Report on Science was the first sign of firm action on the report. “It was opportune that the research associations’ conference was held at a time when there is such uncertainty, and as a result of our meeting we are prepared to take the lead in establishing channels of communication with the committee and the Government,” he said;

The research directore would form a standing committee to evaluate the funding options and develop a process of accountability for research work, he said. .