SPECIAL MISSION

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 97, 21 October 1935, Page 11

SPECIAL MISSION

ON RESEARCH WORK

SIR GEORGE JULIUS'S VISIT

Combining a visit to his father, Archbishop Julius, o£ Christchurch, with a mission to secure closer cooperation between Australia and New Zealand in scientific and industrial research work, Sir George Julius arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa on Saturday morning to spend a few weeks in New Zealand (states the "Auckland Star"). Besides being the chairman of the Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Sir George holds several other important New South Wales appointments, and he has won personal fame throughout the world as the inventor of the Julius totalisator. Sir George spoke in enthusiastic terms of the results obtained by the working of the Commonwealth Council, of which he has beeni chairman since its foundation . ten years ago. There was always a doubt when such organisations were started that they would prove "a mere flash in the pan." The Commonwealth Council has outlived that doubt, and was now firmly established.. This year he had asked for and had been granted £30,000 more than last year, and it was anticipated that the year's expenditure would be £170,000. Of this £120,000 was contributed by the Commonwealth and the rest by interested parties. NEW ZEALAND LACKING. "The public of Australia has realised that whatever other extravagances there have been, that this is -a Work which, even in times of depression, cannot be given up," said Sir George. There was a strong feeling that there should be closer co-operation between Australia and New Zealand in this work, he said, and it was his mission on this visit to interview the Prime Minister with that object in view. Their interests were common ones, and research into animal diseases and primary production generally was a subject which should engage New Zealand's attention more than it did at present. The Commonwealth's research work was of great.value to New Zealand, and it had never been availed of effectively. • "Your Department of Scientific and Industrial Research does not appear to be given much to spend," he said, "and it is really a tragedy. I hope that as a result of my visit closer co-operation will exist between the two countries in this work-, and at the present time I think you will receive more benefit than you can give. There are many ways in which you can help us, however." . WEEDS—AND SOIL DRIFT. Sir George Julius said that in Australia new laboratories were being built to assist in the work and the staff of research workers was being increased constantly. The fight against weeds was occupying a 1 great deal of attention and at the present time they were waging a battle with the "skeleton" weed which had made tremendous devastations in the wheat country. It was a deep-rooted and hardy weed, which,', since its introduction to Australia in a cargo of fodder in 1916 during a time of drought, had taken a firm hold. ,

It was having a serious effect on the country and many fine areas of wheat country had been thrown out of cultivation as a result. So seriously did the New South Wales Government regard it that a large reward had been offered for a solution to the problem. War had been declared against the weed and all resources were being used to overcome it. It was a problem that should be faced jn New Zealand, too,, as it was just as likely to find its way into this country, as it had been in Australia.

Another important study at the present time was the alarming spread of soil drift. Tens of thousands of acres of land which had carried sheep were now reduced to desert and it was a constantly growing. menace. For this man was to blame. He had lived off the capital of the vegetation instead of the interest, and overstocking, fabbits, and drought had brought their inevitable result. The progress Nature had made during thousands of years in conquering the wilderness had been destroyed by man in a few years. Every State was affected in Australia and there appeared to be no remedy. It was a similar problem to that facing China, America, and other countries. All that they could, do was to take buffer areas and hold them against encroachment.

Referring to his famous totalisator —which, by the way, was built as a hobby and is still treated as such—Sir George said that he had now installed three of his latest type, which showed win-and-place returns and other data on barometers. One was at Christchurch, one at Randwick, and one at Madras. The totalisator at Ellerslie was the oldest of his type now remaining in the world. ■