VALUE OF SCIENCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3125, 2 July 1917, Page 6

VALUE OF SCIENCE

ITS AID TO THE STATE IMPORTANT' RECOMMENDATIONS 'free Council of Education ' had under consideration last week a very valuablo report from a Recess Committee set up to consider tho subject of scientific research and industry, which is receiving special attention not only in Britain, but also in Canada, Australia, and the other parts of tho Empire. The object of tho scheme submitted by the coinmitteo is not only to assist and stimulate scientific research, but also to utilise the results of research, particularly in tho primary industries of tho Dominion, and in industries that might be developed here. On the one hand, it is declared, in an official statement, wo have college professors complaining that the results of research work undertaken specially to benefit certain industries are not availed of. and on the other band we have complaints from masters of industries that the scientific work of the universities is too theoretical, and of little practical value.

The chief work needed, therefore, is to establish an organisation to bring the one into thorough touch with the other, to provide machinery which will stimulate and train the researching talent in the universities, to see that such talent, is brought in touch with the problems and difficulties of the various industries of the country, and to make those connected with our industries realise the necessity and the advantages of tho research work carried on in our universities and by other scientific men.

One of the causes that have led to the great industrial progress of Germany in recent years is the encouragement given and use made, of research work in that country. It has been stated,that one single industrial concern in Germany, tho Jena Glass Works, had more research chemists employed in its laboratories than were to be found in all the combined laboratories connected with the industrial eslablislfinenls of Great Britain.

A great deal of very useful research work is being done by the scientist.? And experts of the New Zealand Agricultural Department in helping the farmer, and also by the Geological Survey Department in adding lo our knowledge of tlio mineral wealth of the country, but a great deal more remains to be done in these and in other directions before we can justly say that adequate use is being made of the talent of our scientific- men in developing the country's resources. There are problems connected not only with the treatment of the soil by our farmers but also with" the diseases affecting cur dairy herds,, with the cultivation am! preparation of flax, with tho work carried on by our. freezing companies, and with many more of our industries, that if satisfactorily solved would add very materially lo the valuo of our products.

The question of the cost of any scheme for promoting scientific research must not therefore be too carefully scrutinised. A glance at -the book "EeKpse or Empire," recently produced bv Messrs. Gray and Turner, will show "that tho neglect of this work has in recent veai-s cost Britain dearly, and ha 6 resulted in the loss of her position of industrial supremacy, and that it pays many times over to spend lavishly in scientific work. In a. country like New Zealand, however, there are few large manufacturing firms and masters of industry who are in "a position to equip and maintain Jalwpnties for science work. It is necessary, therefore, that the expense should be born in the first instance bv the Government, though it will-probably be found possible in. sonio cases to charge a large part of the cost against [hose who are benefited by the results.

_ Recently the Government had taken an important step in the right direction In appointing an "Efficiency Board with wide powers and duties, including that of advising the Government in all matters connected with* the improvement and development'of our industries. It'is understood that this board proposes to turn its attention to\the question of research and it is with a view of showing how the educational institutions can lie made to help more m the same direction that the Council of Education has taken the matter in hand.

jVccortlirigly a speninl Recess Committee was appointed at last meeting of tho council, and the committee held a special meeting recently in Christchurch aifd went very hilly into the question. The results are embodied in the following report which was adopted at the council's meeting last week:—

The Findings, 1. There should be a National Advisory CouucU on Research, consisting of— " (a) Four scientific men, one"of whom should be a scientific expert attach- „ . ™: to a .Government Department. (b) three members connected ivitlileading: industries of the Dominion, one of whom should represent agriculture. 2. The National Advisory Council should— (i) Consider and nllot to the proper persons for investigatiop all proposals for specific researches (or at its discretion reject suth proposals'). The proposals might be referred (o it by the Efficiency Board ur might come .from institutions or societies or private persons, or might originate in Hie coiuncil itself. (ii) The council might alsoNsonsidcr the problems affecting particular industries to delcrniino along what lines research might be instituted. (iii) The council should award anil supervise the Lonuiro of tho Research .Fellowships mentioned below, and should, on the request of the University of. Now Zealand, consult -witli and advise (ho .Senate of tho University in mailers rein I - iug 1.0 tho National Research Scholarships in the awar<l of that body. (iv) The Advisory Council should consider and advise the General Council of Education as to the lines along which there could be brought about a general improvement in scientific education with a view tothe training of exports, and should co-operate with that council and other public bodies in faking such steps-as may lead to the better appreciation of the aims and advau- ■ tages of science on the part of producers, and the general body of citi-

zens. 3. In addil&ii to the .-existing National Research Scholarships (the- number and value of which should be increased), there should bo established Research Fellowships Tenable, for • two, three, or moro years by men cjr women qualified and willing to conduct researches approved by the council. The Fellowships should bo of sufficient, value to prevent the possible holders from being attracted awav to other positions.) y +. Tho University and Die UniVersilv Colleges should assist the Follows in their research in such ways as uiav bo arranged.

5. It is suggested that three Ministers of the Crown should form a Research Committee of the Executive Council, and l.ha'; all the proposals of the National Advisory Council involving additional expenditure or a question of policy 'should come before the committee for approval. Except in this respect theNational Advisory Council slould not be considered as "a Department of the Public Service, but should bo freo to act as it thought fit in regard to m.'.lters within its control; for instance, tho. Research Committee, might approve of the creation of an additional Fellowship, but the council alone should award it and. decide the line-of research, or at least'defino the problem to be -solved—which might require to be modified-as the research proceeded.

6. In further explanation nf the functions of the-National Advisory Council, it in suggested that the following should be included anion? them :rThe council might— (a) Recommend to industrial firms <r companies scientific managers, suporintendenls, assistants, or scien- , tific experts. (b) Advise industrial -firms or companies as to improvements in the arts and processes employed, and as to (he utilisation of waste products. (c) Make reeommendUions as to the adoption in any industry of the results of investigations conducted under its directions,

(<l) Undertake, the investigation of industrial problems tbut, if uns-olved, would obstruct the development of industries concerned, (e) Advise the Government in regard to the help that should be given lo (iny now industry that id likely 1u lio ultimately of viiluc lo the. country, though' at .'irst it may not bo worked except at a loss': The council might advise the Government as to what contribution, if any, should be made towards tho cost of any research by tha linns or companies concrncd. i

7. That all bulletins and reports relating to researches .set lip by the coumal should bu drawn ip and published by its authority.

8. That liic Council of Education com fmunicate with tlu Chambers of Commerce, the annual conferences of the A. and J.'. Associations, tha New Zealand National Dairy Association, and the New Zealand Farmers' Union, intimating thai the council would welcome any suggestions from the bodies as to how the educational agencies of the Dominion might assist in, achieving the purpose of bringing the produce of Now Zealand industries into the most profitable relationship with the markets of the world. !). That the attention of the Government he called to the necessity of establishing a course for the training of hydro-electric engineers.