VALUE OF RESEARCH

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 124, 28 May 1930, Page 9

VALUE OF RESEARCH

EELATION TO INDUSTRY]

NEED FOR CO-OPERATION

The .current number of the "Now Zealand National Review" has an article on "Science and Industry," written by Dr. E. Maisden, secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Besearch. It stresses the fact that New Zealand has problems which demand an economic survey if we are to obtain a managed national economy, based on a proper and full co-operation, of industry and Government.

It is apparent, ho points out, that inmost New Zealand mamifaeturirigindustries beyond those depending on our own. raw products, the problem is not so much one of pure research as of the provision of technical services and scientific assistance. "There is some danger of overdoing the use of the term "industrial research' 1; and the result of directing special attention to research may be to suggest something essentially ft Iso like a general panacea for work or a cure for all economic ills, and so mdi cc unprepared people to undertake ill-advised work. We overdo the use of the term "industrial research", when, for example, wo apply, it to the testing of materials to check up on specifications; that it is not. Research is something designed to discover untested "materials (and processes), to bring about better use of old materials, to reveal new wants and predetermine new needs. It is a matter of experience that most manufactured articles are sooner or /later, superseded • by others. The new way may be entirely different from the old, or may differ only in method of production; but the successful manufacturers are those who are prepared to change, one or both of these criteria. Thus, it is generally true that the more modern, the industry, the more intensive is the application of research to it; but even in the older industries many marked results, of research have become evident. Glassmakers have given us glass cooking utensils which the newer knowledge of controlled expansion co-efficients mad© possible. Modern .research methods applied to paints, .varnishes, enamels, have produced many more satisfactory products than former metal coverings,, etc. It is easy to speculate in industrial futures, but to do so carelessly is not industrial research; but industrial development has become * less and less a matter of accident so far as basic scientific data are concerned. Every industry interested in future growth. should devote to scientific research a. small fraction .of its profits; and no 'industry can grow or develop unless in. some way technical scientific services are brought to bear on its problems. Ab has-often been stated, few New Zoaland manufacturing concerns are large enough to employ their own scientific workers, although, in the last three years, an increasing number have done so; and it may be argued that as economically sound that - all the ■. smaller manufacturing units should disappear and that larger manufacturing units should take their places. Yet we do not know, nor have we the data to form an. intelligent opinion as to what businesses should be large and what should b« small for their most efficient management. Yet, one may state as aa axiom that science is absolutely necessary in any developing industry unless the units, of that industry are unduly protected under a tariff or price-fixing protection^ . This,', .however, ■, is not favourably considered as a permanent> arrangement by the most sincere edvocates: of protection, since what impulse can there be to seek or accept improvements whilst reasonable profit is being assured upon an uneconomical basis.; ! ' ;;'.""' , RESEARCH ASSOCIATION". Groups of manufacturers in the four New Zealand industries concerned with leather, coal, pelts, and bacon have recently made experiments on a modest basis in co-operative technical services; and it may be fairi^ claimed that the results have been decidedly encouraging and have demonstrated in all cases that competitive concerns can come together for mutual benefit and happily co-oper-ate on the technical aspects of commoii. problems, and thus derive strength from union. After describing the work of the various researtb associations, Dr. Marsden. points out that behind these associations it is, of course, equally necessary, that the Government scientific services such as the Dominion Laboratory and Geological Survey should be conduced aa efficiently as possible so that full knowledge of New Zealand's raw products may be available, and specialists and libraries ■at ( command for consultation. by the workers employed by the re-" search associations. It is., even more important that the scientific departments of the university colleges should pursue active programmes of pure research and produce men competent and willing to take their place i£ industry. Moreover, if we confine our estimate of the importance of industrial research to a survey of material benefits we lose sight of what may well be its supreme achievement. When research is utilised by all industries, natural by-products will be further mental development, more serviceable idealism, fuller understanding among peoples, and better direction of our national affairs. Scientific research, industrial invention, and business pioneering .ill lead into the unknown. They are fascinating ventures which energetic minds will ever be trying, whether the tangible rewards prove to be great or small. Whatever progress we make inefficiency must be won by boldness and intelligence.