FUTURE RESEARCHES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 164, 9 April 1934, Page 10

FUTURE RESEARCHES

Empire Marketing Board’s Grants Cease

NEW ZEALAND PROGRAMME

How New Zealand researchers will be affected by the termination of grants previously- received from the Empire Marketing Board is discussed in a report dealing with scientific investigations being carried out under the direction of the Council of .Scientific and Industrial Research. The report, which was released for publication by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, on Saturday, refers to the necessity for the closest scrutiny of the finances which will be required for the adequate conduct of the research programme for the current year. The report states that the chairman of the council. Mr. G. Shirtcliffie, made reference at the recent meeting of the council to the effect which the cessation of the Empire Marketing Board’s grants would have on a number of the researches now in progress. “The Imperial Executive Committee, which is now administering the affairs of the Empire Marketing Board, has reduced to a marked extent the unexpended portion of the several outstanding commitments of the board,” the report continues. “On the other hand, in order to preserve the Imperial research activities which were inaugurated by the board and which proved of undoubted advantage, New Zealand, in common with other portions of the Empire, is being asked to contribute toward the funds of such institutions as the Cambridge Low Temperature Research Station, Torridon, Slough, and Farnham House. This warrants the closest scrutiny of the finances which will be required for the adequate conduct of the research programme for the current year.

“Reviewing the situation generally,” states the report, “it would seem that available funds should be conserved for the purpose of maintaining such fundamental researches as play an all-important part in the development of the Dominion’s natural resources. In this class would be placed plant research, soil survey, animal health, and nutrition. On the other hand, that research which is done for particular industries should be financed for the most part by the industries themselves, e.g., dairy, fruit, wheat, leather, gold, fuel, etc.

“It may be desirable at this time to review the general direction taken by the whole range of our research activities, and to make such modification in the policies of each as the circumstances of the times warrant. In primary products, for example, quantitative expansion seems at present to require halting, and energies directed toward improvement in quality. This warrants a change in the direction of research effort, and a falling-back to fundamentals which provide a better opportunity for new rapid developments when such are warranted. “Consideration should be given to those researches which received assistance from the Empire Marketing Board grants. Two of these, noxious weeds and mineral content of pastures, have ceased to receive the necessary funds for their continuation. The grant for the Plant Research Station is being maintained by the Carnegie Institute at a lesser figure than was previously the case.

“The fruit research grant has been greatly reduced, and will terminate in another year. The future of fruit research work should receive immediate attention, with a view to reaching a decision regarding its continuation after March, 1935. The Empire Marketing Board Dairy Research grant has been reduced, and will terminate on March 31, 1935. The pelt grant is being maintained until 1936 at its full amount.”