RESEARCH IN INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 8

RESEARCH IN INDUSTRY.

ELIMINATION OF WASTE. FACTORS IN ECONOMIC WAR. RESULTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. ADDRESS BY DR. E. MARSDEN. The opinion that an inevitable increase in foreign trade rivalry within the next few years could only be combated by the British Empire by organised research into methods of production and distribution, was expressed yesterday by Dr. E. Marsden, permanent secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in an address at. the monthly meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Marsden said the maximum results from research could be obtained by studying the cost of production, and endeavouring to eliminate waste. Huge sums of money were being lost annually through waste, a great deal of which could be avoided. It was estimated that nearly £2.500.0G0 a year was lost through plant and seed diseases, while similar losses were caused through animal diseases and entomological pests. Bv eliminating all or part of these sources of waste an appreciable effect could be made upon the Dominion's bal-ance-sheet within ten years at the latest. "Research in the United States and England had increased tenfold since 1918, and the wonderful results achieved gave some idea of the greater competition which would have to be met in years to come by any country which did not keep pace. It was essential that co-operation in Empire research should be attained. Industry was in a state of transition, and was feeling the effects of the standardised article as well as changed conditions. It- was now more true than ever that industry had reached the parting of the ways. Centralisation of production had been forced upon many manufacturers. Many timber mills were only working at one-third of their capacity, but the solution of many difficulties would possibly be found if more mills were to close and allow the others to work full time under agreement. The reduced cost of production would repay such action. As a result of modern conditions the world was entering upon an economic war, in which the weaker and unprepared nations would be defeated. Tho United States was spending £76,000,000 annually on research, which showed it realised the importance of the work. Stress should be placed upon the correct relation between scientific research and trade on the one hand and technical education on the other, for it was more j than ever necessary to have workmen whose education fitted them to the new scheme of industry. In this respect New Zealand possessed an invisible asset, for the standard of education was high. Dr. Madden concluded with references to the effect of research work in the cultivation of crops and in the marketing of primary products- There was no doubt that the scientific control of the dairy industry was absolutely necessary. Dr. Marsden was accorded a vote of thanks for his address.