RESEARCH COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 118, 20 May 1932, Page 4

RESEARCH COUNCIL

A NATIONAL BODY

An idea mooted some time.ago took shape at yesterday's meeting of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute, when it was decided to form, a ■ National Research Council; In order to form a nucleus of the council the institute- will appoint £ye members, each having recognised scientific attainments and the whole five being-thoroughly representative of the basic sciences. Theso five members will then select fifteen others with similar regard to qualifications, the selection to be subject to the approval of the Board of Governors. The first members of tho council will have power to frame regulations as to constitution, and will have power to co-opt other membeis from time to time, pro yided that tho total number on the council does not exceed fifty. Tho con stitution of the National Research Couu cil will not intertore in a.ny -way with the institute as a body to which scien tiflc questions should bo refencd It will bo appioaehed and will report through tho president ot the institute. It was agieed that being a Fellow of tho; New Zealand Institute t\as not necessarily a qualification for 45eing a member of the council. There -nero per sons, too, who were not: Fellows who' should-be' appointed to the council. . With regard to tho election of Fel lows; of the Institute, it was decided thaj the present system should be abolished. It'was stated that the present system was a farco and'that-thero was' a feeling among; mathematicians, physi eists,.and chemists that there weri. too many natural scientists elected. In future, nominations for Fellowship will bo made annually by mcorpoiated so cieties, and a special committee of £\ c will report to tho Board, of Governois on the nominations Nominees will not be informed ot their nomination, and<, the committee will have- due regaid for the ■ different sciences when. > deciding upon the; acceptance or otherwise of the nominations.