NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17547, 12 February 1919, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRIES

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. SCIENTIFIC RESEAItCH. (P«B UITITBD PBJMB Association.) WELLINGTON, February 11, Before tho Industries Committee to-day Dr J. Allan Thomson, Director of tho Dominion Museum, gave evidence as to the arrangements made for scientific research in the British dominions, particularly in Australia and Canada. Ho referred also to the organisation in the United States, France, and Italy. Practically New Zealand was the only one of the Allied countries which had not set up an organisation of scientific research to keep in touch with the industries. Probably tho blamo was due to the lack of co-ordination between the various departments, including Internal Affairs and Education. The matter of research had been referred by tho Government to the National Efficiency Board, which asked the Now Zealand Institute to formulate 'a scheme. Tho institute set up a committee, -whose report, which was adopted by the institute, could- be regarded as tho well-considered opinion of New Zealand scientific men. The committee had recommended that a fund of £100,000 should be invested in trust for the encouragement of scientific research. The report, with a few amendments, was apnroved by tho Efficiency Board. The institute adopted a resolution to the effect Chat tho board which would administer the trust fund for scientific research should be able to do without interference by the Government. However, tho Minister of Internal Affairs had. objected to tho resolution. G. Craig (Assistant Comptroller of Customs) said tho duty on imported cigarettes was 25s 6d per 1000—a rise of 8s per 1000 since the beginning of the war. The excise on cigarettes made in New Zealand from imparted loaf (including a duty of 2s) was 7s 6d per lb (equal to 18s-9d per 1000). This was a protection of 6s 9d per 1000. The protection of cigarettes made in Now Zea-« land from leaf grown in the dominion was equal to lis 9d per 1000, There were ho cigarettes made in bond by hand, though there was a protection of Is 6d per.lOOO in favour of cigarettes made in bond by hand as against those made by machinery. Professor Eastorfield said that New Zealand had suffered f6r tho lack of encouragmeant of science. People did not know what, scionce could do for them. There was no doubt that New Zealand had tho right young men to train. New Zealand scientific men wore known throughout the word. He referred to a number who had achieved tho highest status as exports in subjects and to men who held very high positions in other countries. New Zealand was losing thoso brilliant brains bocauso of the lack o f appreciation of science. Ho referred to the need of a real scientific library in Now Zealand. Ho believed that local advisory committees would not require payment except for tho actual cost of tho research work undertaken in the public interest. Tho grant for a central scheme of research should bo statutory. Ho believed the proposed board could be very beneficial to Now 'Zealand. It was absolutely necessary to have cneouragoment of pure science and practical science. Ho did not know of any commercially successful proocss of obtaining industrial alcohol from wood except when the industry was a side-lino of tho wood-pulp paper industry.