DR MARSDEN IMPRESSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 11

DR MARSDEN IMPRESSED

ADVANCE IN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH WHAT IS BEING BONE IN AUSTRALIA (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 23th March. The considerable amount of money expended on scientific research by the Commonwealth Government and the astounding advance in all kinds of research work impressed Dr E. Marsden, secretary of thte Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who returned to New Zealand by the Wanganella after spending a month in Australia, where lie visited research stations and assisted in arrangements for co-operation in scientific research between the Australian and New Zealand Government. Dr Marsden stated that his task in Australia had been to get in touch with research organisations corresponding to those in the Dominion with a view to securing a more prompt interchange of information, as very often in research there was a lag of two years between the working actually taking place and that published. This might lead to overlapping if there was not an early consultation between research workers of the different countries.

Apart from routine services the Commonwealth Government was spending £200,00 a year on scientific re search, continued Dr Marsden. A sum of £BO,OOO had been set aside for research on Australian fisheries over a period of five years, and £20,000 a yearin each case for fruit and tobacco research. All this was distinct from the work carried on by the individual States.

Referring to the departments in which Australian research workers had made great advances, Dr Marsden mentioned transport and storage of all fruits, including citrus varieties, and the carriage of chilled beef. Attention was also being given to animal health and nutrition problems and soil surveys in relation to stock health. Among the most interesting work being carried on was an investigation of the causes of infertility in animals and the tracing of those factors contributed by heredity and disease. This was complementary to the work now being done in the Waikato by New Zealand veterinary officers. Dr Marsden said that Australian scientific research workers were extraordinarily well disposed toward New Zealand workers and generous in their offers of help. There were many New Zealand scientists working in Australia, and out of 90 students at the Sydney Veterinary School 15 were New Zealanders. < While in Australia Dr Marsden consulted with the Commonwealth authorities regarding better transTasman meteorological services, but he would not comment further on this phase of his activities. He was similarly reticent concerning Australian interest in the pulping possibilities of New Zealand timber.