N.Z. Science Congress Opened by Minister of Health

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1947, Page 2

N.Z. Science Congress Opened by Minister of Health

WELLINGTON, May 20.

The Minister of Health (Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer), deputising for the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) opened the sixth Science Congress to-day, said scientists might yet help to solve the problem of inducing people to bear the shortages they experienced with more equanimity than they did to-day. Touching on what use atomic energy might do for the world, for good or evil, the Minister said: “It may be that in the hands of scientists it will become a boon and a blessing to men.” If the report from London of the plans for the construction of electric power plant driven by atomic energy were true the world might be on the verge of a new era. The Dominion’s 10-year plan might become obsolete by comparison and other sources of energy might replace the electrical schemes.

Mr Nordmeyer promised that if any worthwhile scientific project in New Zealand seemed to be hampered by lack of finance the Government would see to it that money did not stand in the way of what ought to be achieved in the scientific field.

The Mayor (Mr W. Appleton), in expressing welcome to the 600 delegates to the city, suggested that possibly the conjunction of meteorological experts from Wellington and elsewhere was responsible for the “typical! windless Wellington day,” as an other speaker had called it.