ASSISTING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19798, 19 November 1927, Page 14

ASSISTING INDUSTRY.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH* STEADY MADE. NEW ACTIVITIES IN DOMINION. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORBESI'ONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Friday. Reporting to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research the'chairman, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe, states that steady progress has been made and much has been accomplished toward inaugurating new activities by means of conferences and meetings with the representatives of various industries. A fuel research committee has been establishedj representative of the coalmine owners, the Mines Department and the council. A programme of investigations has been approved and arrangements for conducting the work ajj the Dominion laboratory and elsewhere have been made. Research workers will commence work at an early date on low temperature distillation processes and on an investigation into the nature of minci dusts likely to cause explosions in mines. In conjunction with the Railway Department an investigation of. the utilisation of the carbonised residues from distillation processes' Js projected. Real progress has been made toward launching a programme of cereal products research. Cereal Research laboratory. The scheme for the establishment, operation and support of a cereal research laboratory in Christchurch has been placed prominently before wheatgrowers, flou'rmillers and bakers and everywhere has met with approval. A comprehensive report on cereal research has been provided for the coiincil by Mr. L. D. Foster and will give valuable guidance in the development of this work. Dr. P. W. Hilgendorf has furnished a report ua the milling trials conducted with certain varieties of wheat which he has, subjected recently to detailed investigation. With the .assistance of the subsidised grant made by the council earlier in the year investigations into the phormuim industry are still proceeding. Dr. J. S. Yeates has been carrying out work on the cytological problems of the flax plant with a view to tracing those particular properties which contribute toward ihe production of good fibre. These investigations are fundamental in natiire and have an important bearing upon the selection and breeding of flax varieties. Mr. P. Wi Aitkeri, M.Sc., has been continuing his researches into the chemical properties of flax fibre and residues at tho Miranui mill.

Empire-wide Co-operation. Conferences have been held with representatives of the meat and leather industries and plans for the organisation of research into their respective problems are receiving attention. Advices have been received regularly from Mr. T. Rigg, who at present is studying the technique of animal nutrition at Rowett Institute, concerning visits paid to a number of research stations in England and the United States of America. Mr. Rigg's* reports contain much of very real interest in view of their relationship to New Zealand problems and his visit will assist very - materially the council's endeavours to co-ordinate local research activities with those overseas in an endeavour to make for Empirewide co-operation. 1 * M) 1 . Shirtcliffe mentions the approaching visit of Mr. L. S. Amery, Secretary of State for the Dominions, whose association with the Empire Marketing Board would, he says, afford an opportunity for placing beforo the Home authorities the desire of the council for Imperial research co-oper r ation as well as the local attitude toward the conduct of aiiy such schemes. During September and October Dr. Franklin Kidd, together with officers of the Department of Agriculture, made an extensive inspection of cold storage conditions in the various districts of the Dominion. Dr. Kidd has furnished a report on his visit and has made recommendations for the conduct of certain investigations and for the co-operation of work with the Cambridge low temperature research station. In view of the prime importance of cold storage in the successful marketing of so great a portion of the Dominion's export, Dr. Kidd's report will require careful consideration at the present time, concludes Mr. Shirtcliffe. Negotiations are in progress with a view to conducting certain scientific observations on the behaviour of New Zealand fruit in transit to the Home markets during the coming shipping season.