INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19966, 7 December 1926, Page 8

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.

LESSONS FROM AUSTRALIA, THE SECRETARY’S VISIT. VALUABLE WORK PSOGBEBaWfc (Special to Daily Trass.) WELLINGTON, December 6. Having spent several weeks in Australia, Dr E. Marsden, permanent secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Hose arch, returned to Wellington to-day. The object of his visit to the Commonwealth was to obtain first-hand knowledge of the working of the Australian Research Council. “We have a lot to learn from Australia,” said Dr Marsden to-day. “They have thoroughly keen and alert minds on the job, and are getting right down, to tin tacks. They have ‘made good’ and receive great support and encouragement on all sides. Of a Government grant of £IOO,OOO, vested in the name of the executive, 80 per cent, of the interest is expended in the training of research students, and an expenditure of £250,000 during each of four years has been authorised in order to carry on research' work which will benefit the primary and secondary industries,” Dr Marsden is very optimistic about the results of his visit. Inter-communication between the two departments will result in co-operation, and avoid any over-lapping of effort along fundamental lines, and when the department in New Zealand has had time to become thoroughly established it, too, will make good, and be able to confer untold blessings upon the industries of the country. . One of the difficulties that the Australian council has to contend with is the finding of suitable men for the work. The supply is insufficient. Posts are advertised carrying salaries of £I2OO a year, but men really trained foi the work cannot be obtained. To overcome this difficulty in Victoria the Government makes provision for the through training of suitable boys. All their scholastic expenses are paid, and when they are fully Warned as research workers posts are guaranteed them. The State of New South Wales adopts a similar policy, and there is quite a stampede, as Dr Marsden puts it, to get hold of these trained workers. . Amongst the interesting features of industrial research noted by Dr Saarsden on his visit was that done in the direction of the eradication of prickly pear, one of Australia’s greatest nests; The problem,” said Dr Marsden. “is practically solved by the means of parasites, bo keen ate the farmers that they are stealing the bugs from each other, until the supply is sufficient for the demand.” Banana disease in Queensland is another thing which the council has successfully tackled. Experiments in wheat growing to give a bigger yield, and also to eradicate rust were also investigated, by Dr Marsden during his visit as ware also numerous other phases of industrial and scientific. research. He was much interesteo in the work done in connection with forestry. The chemical and mechanical wood pulping experiments were verv suggestive as to the possibilities in New Zealand, and the pulp made from some New Zealand flax he describes as the best that he has ever seen. By using the mechanical method the whiteness is maintained. and then, .being mixed with other fibres, an excellent paper results. Itna method, if out into practical operation m New Zealand, would mean a great deal to the flax industry, and to the country s prosperity in general. ... , ~ . The question of an agricultural college naturally was inquired into, and Dr Marsden found opinion unanimqus and emphatic that education in agncultural matters must start at the top, and bo the very best obtainable. Men trained in the country were essential. “At preesnt, no said, “farmers are standing gaping for information and they are getting it from the mouths of babes and sucklings.’ The very best training was needed, and there would be full use for every man adequately trained. At Hawkesbury College, in New South Wales. Dr Marsden was pleased to find Maoris from Te Auto (Hawke s BajT Dr Marsden will be making a full report on hi-s investigations to the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and when the board next meets om December 15 an outline of the policy to be adopted will bo drawn up.