Criticism, Advice For N.Z. Building Industry

Northern Advocate, 17 January 1948, Page 4

Criticism, Advice For N.Z. Building Industry

WELLINGTON, Sat. (Sp.)—A series of sweeping recommendations involving a much more important role for university colleges and major alterations to the functions of Government departments, as well as strong criticism of the lack of research work in housing construction and engineering projects, are contained in a report by Sir Reginald Stradling, chief adviser to the United Kingdom Ministry of Works. At the request of the Government he visited New Zealand last year, and his report was issued by the Minister in charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Mr McCombs) yesterday.

Sir Reginald Stradling recommends the use of universities as major research centres; suggests at least three building science research professorships at Auckland,' Canterbury, and Otago universities; and condemns the treatment of New Zealand scientists. The immediate expenditure of £120,000 a year, rising to £450.000 a year, is recommended in the report, which also proposes the vesting of all building and civil engineering research in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the establishment of a research board and the attaching of intelligence officers to various departments. The 11 recommendations are:— (1) That at least three building science research professorships be establish-

ed, one in each of the three university colleges, the men appointed to devote virtually the whole of their time to research. (2) That the coordination of all building and civil engineering research in the country should be vested in the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. (3) That the department appoint as director of building and civil engineering research a senior man with the right experience and personality. (4) That a Building and Civil Engineering Research Board consisting half of scientific members and half from industry, with an independent chairman, be established. (5) That a central building and civil engineering research station be established in the Wellington area.