CORRESPONDENCE

Grey River Argus, 15 August 1934, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH. (To the Editor.) Sir, —On previous occasions I have written in reference to the above-men-tioned Department. The cost to the taxpayers during the last five years has amounted to the enormous sum of £300,000. It is surely up to some Member of Parliament to question the Prime Minister, who is in charge of this Department, as to what the taxpayers are gaining by this high expenditure? We have heard of their claims in the successful carriage of chilled meat to the English market, but it has been proved that the credit for the successful export was entirely due to British institutions. We have had wild un-

warranted statements about the gold deposits of Central Otago, supposed to. rival the Banket formation of the Witwatersrand, but so far nothing has been made public as to what has been done to develop the supposed rich and extensive mineral formations*—discoveries claimed by this wonderful Department, presided over by the Prime Minister. Sir, I think I have stated through your columns, previous to this, that all discoveries of gold deposits, either quartz or alluvial, have been made by the miner or prospector with pick and shovel. That is my experience, extending over a period of 50 years. There was a geological survey made in this district, the money Jieing thrown away, as the way the report was written up, and the terms used in describing the various formations were un-’ intelligible to the ordinary miner ori prospector, but, of course, such impressed the Minister in charge, who.

no doubt, would raise the salary of the geologist, or geophysicalists—or whatever other nomenclature is adopted, or likely to be adopted to make the necessary impression so as the unwarranted salaries will continue. I submit Mr. Editor, it would be far better in the interests of the taxpayer if the expenditure under this Department were to be curtailed by 50 per cent., by retiring a number of officials, who look wise and use terms they learn by note, bewilder the ordinary miner and do nothing to assist in the development of the undoubted metal and mineral resources of the country. I challenge them to prove the contrary. This wasted money could be used to assist the dependents of the unfortunate people on relief allowances. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am etc., HENRY BETTS, Oweka. 10th August, 1934.