SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 112, 5 February 1926, Page 9

SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY

4 NECESSITY OF RESEARCH AIDS TO INCREASED PRODUCTION SIR FRANK HEATH’S VIEWS If New Zealand is to ensure herself against the possibility of a fall in prices she must make use of her scientific and commercial organisations in connection with the development of our primary and secondary industries. Such was the keynote of an address given by Sir Frank Heath to members of the New Zealand Club at a luncheon in his honour yesterday. Mr. E. W. A. Kellow presided, ‘and visitors included the Postmaster-General and Minister of Education (Hon. Sir Janies Parr), the Minister of Defence and Justice (the Hon. F. J. Rolleston), Mr. T. Forsyth, M.P, Sir John Luke, M.P., Dr. E. Marsden (Assistant Director of Education), and Mr. R. J. Pope (Assistant Director of Agriculture). Sir I rank Heath said that the development of our industries by means of scientific research work w r as a problem, the true significance of which had not been realised at Home until the time of the war crisis. That something had to he done to increase production was apparent. The people were aware of the fact tnat great stress would follow as the math, and it was that realisation which impelled the British Government to take some steps in the way of increasing its powers of production. They knew that bv adopting that course it was the only hope they had of carrying the enormous debt which confronted the nation. That effort was responsible for a steady improvement in the situation. In the course of such work it was found there were a number of problems which, if their solution was to be brought about, would have to be attacked by the outlying parts of the Empire as well as at Home. Increasing Production. “We realised," continued Sir Frank Heath, “that we were spending £40,000,000 in bringing timber—that vital and important product—into England from foreign countries, when we might easily have spent the money on the development of the timber industry within the Empire. We were confronted with problems connected with fuel. The great possibilities surrounding home production of liquid oil and petrol were only a few of the problems before us. Accordingly, when the invitation came from the Australian.and New Zealand Governments to send someone out to consult with them on the matter, it was readily accepted. The application of science to our industries is a great factor in increasing our powers of production. You in this country have a large export trade. Now, if you compare the figures of that trade with those before the war, no doubt a substantial increase will be demonstrated, but the comparative figures of the value of the exports to-day must not. be taken into consideration alone, as it is the quantity of production that is important. Prices are never stable, even in such a world-wide requirement as wheat. . . The question of paying the interest on the sinking fund of your national debt depends considerably on the price secured for your exports. If prices were to fall materially—which is not likely in wheat—but say, in wheat and meat, then it would be difficult to meet the loan charges. Your credit would fall, and with it the development of your industries would suffer. Other nations are spending large sums of money in order to increase their powers of production, and so guard against the possibility of a fall in prices. , _ . The Wool Trade. "What is true of wheat is equally true of wool,” proceeded Sir Frank -Heath. "The wool trade in Europe is a great trade, and although I do not wish to be considered an one can assume that it is not a product that is going to exist permanently without credit. Take, for example, the history of artificial silk. . . . Science is always working to produce cheaper products, and the woolgrower must improve and cheapen his own natural product, or it will ultimately go the same way as the natural indigo wont. It is those considerations that have led my Government to believe that it is possible to bring science to bear upon not merely the primary industries, but the secondary industries, with the object in view, of course, of increasing our productive powers. If we can do this, _ then we will be increasing our Imperial trade. It is going to be a slow process, and one which you cannot expect Governments to accomplish for you; Certainly thev can help, but it can only be successfully done in the ultimate issue by the men engaged on the iob. They are the people who appreciate and realise the existing difficulties. 'By bringing the various organisations into co-operation you will be assisting towards the soluton of this problem, which is of national importance. This scientific problem is only capable of solution in exactly the same wav as the war was won—by pulling together.” (Applause.) Sir James Parr's Views. Sir James Parr said that Sir Frank Heath represented a great department in Great Britain, which was spending about half a million pounds per annum upon research work in various industries. Sir Frank Heath would find, however, that New Zealand was not spending so much. (Laughter.) In fact, ho would find the country, interesting, not on account of what had been done, but what was left undone. It was a difficult thing, however, to stir up the man in the street and make him realise the significance of research work. He maintained that thousands of pounds could bo spent in this line and yet no results be obtained at the time. The day would come, however, when such expenditure would pav for itself tenfold. That was the view that would have to be taken up in connection with scientific research work in this countrv. The Agricultural Department deserved a good deal of credit for what it had done. That Agricultural College. "I propose,” added Sir James Parr, "largely because Auckland nnd Wellington are now prepared to sink their differences. to soon have an agricultural college of university standard in Now Zealand, where we will be able to further extend scientific research work, and later to see this branch of work extended to our primarv schools. Just how far the Agricultural Department will cooperate in that regard is a matter that will depend upon the advice of our expert and distinguished visitor. (Applause.)