Universities And Secret Defence Work In N.Z.

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1948, Page 4

Universities And Secret Defence Work In N.Z.

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, 'Phis Day. The question whether University research work should be open to free publication, and what factors were involved in work of such, a nature that for reasons of national security demands secrecy, were fully debated at the opening session today of the Senate of the University of New Zealand. The question arose from a recommendation from the academic board that “except in times of national emergency no contracts or grants for research should be concluded, unless the conditions provided for the iron publication oi the results of that research." '[’he Pro-Chancellor, Mr L. J. Wild, said he had received a letter from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research on the issue. This letter referred to the existence of a defence science organisation and the desire for the universities, to participate in its work, and stressed need for secrecy in all matters pertaining to defence. The letter added that it was expected that certain confidential documents from overseas would be received by the organisation, among the members of which would be persons Iron* the staff of the universities. “I am in touch with what is proposed by the National Defence Science Committee," said Mr Wild, “and I may state that these proposals cannot go forward if this resolution is adopted by the Senate and subsequently by the college councils." The senate decided to refer the matter back to the academic board lor further consideration.