Research of High Qualify

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 7

Research of High Qualify

World-wide Recognition Obtained PASTURE WORK OUTSTANDING “As far as New Zealand research work is concerned, we need suSer no inferiority complex,” declared Professor W. Kiddet, director of the Dairy Research Institute at Massey College last evening on his return to Palmerston North after twelve mouths of research and market investigation work u broad. “In the various countries 1 visited 1 found that research workers R?ld in high regard our contributions to research in various directions, and that they are making use of it. New i?e«lund research work has reached u stage where it has obtained world-wide recognition. In some directions it is even more advanced than is research on similar lines in other countries. This is particularly true of the work done in the Dominion in pasture improvement, and also of certain dairy work, notably iu connection with butter and cheese manufacture. Although our work is admired, there is still an urgent need for extending it, giving our workers every chance of taking a leading place in the world.” In every country he visited, declared Professor Riddet, he found that commerce and technical industry was placing more und more reliance on research, recognising that quality rather than quantity was a primary objective of production, iu an enfleavour to improve efficiency, industrial loaders were leaning more aud more ou education and research. Every country was making great endeavours to bring research into closer touch with production, aiming to support research a* generously as possible without attempting to dictate to it. Financial aid to research was being increased iu every country. Tho exumplc of the rubber industry wus a good one; the industry had retrieved itself by finding new avenues of marketing new processes, rather than by curtailing production. Because of the increasing radiance placed on research increasing attention was being paid to the organisation of research activities, on making results available to industry as soon as possible. The British Commonwealth Scientific Conference, said Professor Riddet, was one of the most important experiences of the trip. Not only did it afford opportunity of meeting scientific men from all parts of the Empire, but the very conference itself was unique, in 1927 there was called together a conference pf all the agricultural and kindred scientific interests in t fie British Empire to discuss ways and means of consolidating their activities. As a result of that conference fiber* were formed niue agricultural scientific bureaux whoso duty it became to collate and disseminate throughout the Empire all the available knowledge in their respective spheres. In the work of these bureaux every Dominion had us much say as had the United Kingdom. feevcu of tho bureaux, thele concerned with soil science, agricultural purasitology, animal genetics, plant bleeding, grassland management, aufmiil health, und animal nutrition, did no research work of their own, being X>ureiy collating and disseminating centres, clearing houses of scientifio information, but two, the Institute of Entomology and the Institute of Mycology, did a certain umount of research work as well. The Commonwealth conicrimco met only once every five yours. The previous chairman was fciir Charles Howell Thomas, permanent head of the British Department of Agriculture. The chairman of the last eonfeience was Mr Neville L. Wright, permanent New Zoalaud scientific officer in Loudon. This was an important position, one of the utmost importance to the Empire, so that the honour attained by Mr Wright was no mean one. It was possible this great Empire organisation might be the prelude to a world organ imtion on similar lines. No Trade Secrets. In every country Professor Riddet met with cordiul co-operation from men engaged in research. There was no reluctance to impart information; everything known was at once placed freely at the disposal of the visitor. 'There Yvas no such thing as trade secrets between agricultural research workers. This was particularly so in the United States, where considerable sums were being liberated for co-ordinating education and research. Towards Internationalism. Professor Kiddet expressed the opinion that the cause of research would be aided if more exchanges of workers between countries could be facilitated. Great as yVih the benefit of visiting another country, progress would be aided still more if definite exchanges for more extensive periods could be arranged. Not only would the latest scientific information be more readily made available through the world, but an international outlook to social and political problems would be encouraged. It would be one of the cheapest and most economic ways of establishing a better spirit of under standing and peace through the world