Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1919. DOMINION INDUSTRIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 173, 19 August 1919, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1919. DOMINION INDUSTRIES.

THE creation: of a board of science and industry, a scheme which is considered in) industrial circles as being absolutely necessary for the development and betterment of trade and industry in the Dominion, was discussed at a meeting of the executive committee of tho Industrial Association of Canterbury. A. sub-committee had been appointed to consider the establishment and upkeep of a comprehensive technological library and ithe appoiitmenl of an officer to study the contents of 'this literature and «o biing before tho notice of the industries concerned a summary of all articles .bearing on their improvomerib and development. The sub-committee presented a scheme recommended for adoption by -the Government. The scheme included the establishment of a board of science and industry, with responsible functions and substantial authority, .to encourage and co-orodin-atc scientific and industrial, work in the Dominion and the creation of a new porfolio—-a Ministry of Science and Industry. The Minister should bo chairman of the board, which should also comprise a salaried direc-, tor at not less than £ISOO per annum, and four other members, two to represent science and two industry. The repojrt advocated that an adequate sum of hot than £IOO,OOO should <1 ParliAirtftiMii Jtc CQVOr

j expenditure for live years, such moneys to be invested by the board in in-terest-bearing securities. Four local advisory committees at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin should be appointed, with the proviso that other local advisory, committees might be sot up at any time if the kboard approved. The board should 'make* a- review of all research work -hat has been done, or is in progress, in connection with science ami industry in the country. It should have, the power to establish and award research fellowships, and make, grants of money in aid of research, in payment of services, or for apparatus, and incidental expenses. The board should advise persons or firms engaged in industrial pursuits as to improvements in the arts and processes employed, and as to the utilisation of ‘waste products, and should advise the Govern-

meat ip regard to the help which should be given to any new industry that would bo likely to be of ultimate value to the country, though possibly worked at a loss to eomomence with. The board should also consult with the General Council of Education and the University of New Zealand as to the lines along which improvement could be brought about in scientific education, and should co-operate in taking such steps as would lead to a better appreciation of the aims and advantages of science on the part of producers and the general body of citizens. The report of the sub committee which was adopted, will doubtless receive the consideration deserved.