RESEARCH WORK

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 16, 20 January 1936, Page 10

RESEARCH WORK

BRITISH INDUSTRIES

MEETING COMPETITION

LOCAL PROGRESS

In the face of competition from countries where industries are subsidised, British manufacturers are turning more than ever to scientific research to improve their goods, according to Mr. P. E. White, of the New Zealand Scientific and Industrial Research Department, and director of the Pulp and Leather Research Association, who returned to-,New Zealand today after spending seven months investigating the latest tanning methods in the United States of America, Great Britain, and Australia. The tanners of New Zealand have always kept abreast of modern methods, and sent Mr. White abroad four years ago and again last year. Their progressiveness, said Mr. White, was .proved by the fa,ct that they were not far behind the most modern methods, but he had secured enough information to enable them to make important improvements. I Everywhere he went he found the utmost co-operation on research work, and manufacturers gave him all the information that was available. Gjreat Britain was once more prosperous, Mr. White said, and that prosperity was due to the rapid advance in the building trade and the stable and satisfactory conditions brought about jin industries by the use of research. Cheap money and other reasons had bean advanced to account for the return to prosperity, and the fact that more and more of that money ■was being spent by industrialists on co-operative research proved that money invested in research gave a good return. FAVOURABLE ATTITUDE. The attitude of the industrialist to research was well expressed by one manufacturer, who said: "In these days of subsidised foreign competition we cannot afford to be without our Trade Research Association. Co-operative research is absolutely essential if we arc to meet competition organised on cooperative lines." That manufacturer had a large staff of chemists and wellequipped laboratories, said Mr. White, but did not regard that as being sufficient. The numerous trade research associations in Britain showed that the opinion expressed was not confined to any one industry. Referring to research work in his own branch of the Department, Mr. White said that the boot and leather industries had each had their own trade research association for several years. "These associations have been financed by subscriptions from the trade,'supplemented by a Government grant administered by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research," he said. "Last year the Government considered that the industries would benefit much more if this type of work could be carried out on a larger and broader scale. In order to do this a much larger grant was promised OYk condition that the industry subscribed a larger sum of money. The industries have fulfilled this condition, and their research associations will now be able to expand their activities. Both the boot and leather trades research associations will benefit under the new conditions, and each will have at least £12,000 to spend each year on investigating the problems of their respective trades. : . BENEFIT ADMITTED. "It is admitted that the trades have benefited in the past years from the work of their research associations; and each is now looking forward to further prosperity as the result of its expansion. The manufacturer is not very much concerned with knowledge which appears to be of only academic interest. What he requires is information which will enable, him to manufacture a better article at the lowest cost. This is, however, a narrow view, and a research association must have a much broader outlook. Information I which may now appear of only academic interest, may in the future become of vital importance. Thus the Research Association must justify its existence in the eyes of the manufacturer 'by attending to present needs, but must also lay up a store of information which can be used when the J necessity arises. It is along these lines that the English manufacturer is progressing. "JEALOUSLY-GUARDED SECRET." "The manufacture of leather has been going on for centuries, and one does not look for startling innovations in such an old industry. The art of tanning was a jealously-guarded family secret handed down from generation to generation. Leathor was made by rule-of-thumb methods, and consequently the product was ' not always uniform. As a result of research, many of the chemical actions which take part in the manufacture of leather can now be explained. Furthermore, information is available regarding the structure of the protein molecules and the chemical nature of the tanning materials. The application of this knowledge has enabled the tanner to improve trie technique of his processes. Modern methods of control such as the use cf the gloss electrode for the determination of the effective acidity of the tan liquors are extensively used. Waste has been reduced to a minimum, and great care is taken to avoid the introduction of contaminating materials. One of the chief arguments used against co-opsrative research is that it wjll tend to introduce standardised methods of manufacture, and thus destroy individuality. This is not the case as far as leather manufacture is concerned. Numerous tanneries were visited and each was still using its own peculiar method. Research has probably emphasised individuality rather than tended to destroy lt "Every manufacturer must have good raw materials if the best Qua lity article is to be made ata—* cost Hides and skins, the tanneis curcr, and shipper are to blame. DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY ■•The farmer is responsible for barbwire scratches, horn marks, and brands, he butcher for knife-cuts and scores the curer for decomposition due to flrst-'rade hides far exceeds the supniv The worst faults in New Zealand hides, as stated by American and European tanners, are barb-wire scratches, flay cuts, and branding. It is only natural that people desire to purchase goods as cheaply as possible. Everyone loves a bargain, but it must be remembered that quality is often sacrificed in order to get the lower price. "Both in England and America large quantities of very low-priced shoes are being sold. So long as the weather remains fine, they give satisfaction. On the other hand if rain intervenes then these shoes are a direct menace to health. It is not only right that the public should be able to buy I footwear at a reasonable price, but'