SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3280, 24 January 1917, Page 9

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

SIR R. STOUT'S SUGGESTION. In his nxlclress as. Chancellor at the annua] mooting at Auckland Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) dealt at some length with the possibilities of developing scientific research in the dominion Throughout the Empire the need for the promotion of further scientific education had been discussed and emphasised. In Now Zealand there had been own public meetings to consider the need of scientific research, and the work was being started. Some people seemed to be unaware that the Government had several scientific departments under its control. There was in Wellington a large Government chemical laboratory, where general research work could be done without any additional cost to the State. He supposed he was not overstating the amount expended on scientific work by the various departments when he said that it came to at least £IO,OOO a year. In 1887 a proposal was made in Parliament that the scientific work of the various Government departments should be put under one control and be, utiTscd for research purposes. 'J he suggestion was that there should be started a Wellington University College, with special development in science. The warden or master or principal of the college was to bo the then Director of the Museum. Unfortunately the Bill creating this new institution was defeated in the Legislative Council. It was now suggested that ihrri: should be a new institution formed called "The Science Research Institute." Was it too late to suggest that the old proposal of 1887 should be reconsidered? Could nor the various scienific departments of the. Government be united with one of the \ Diversity Colleges? Possibly it might be necessarv, the administration of the Government being- located in Wellington, to join them to the Victoria University College. He did not see why this could not be done and a scientific department created that could perforin general research work. For example, they had at present a very large and valuable chemical laboratory in Wellington belonging to the Government. In charge of it was an able and skilled director, and he had able ass : stants. Why could he not be made the professor of chemical research in connection with the University College? This would not interfere with tiie present professor of chemistry in the University Colli go, as he would have the ordinary teaching of the students to supervise. Again, the geological staff could do all the geological work of the college, and there could be a professor of research in biology dealir.g with research that would be useful to cur agricultural, horticultural, and pastoral industries. It might bo provided that no more money should be spent than was spent now in science, and he believed the new work could be done without any additional expenditure. ['< rhaps the bacteriological work should be undertaken mainly at the medical school. In order to facilitate this union of the Scient lie Research Institute with Victoria College, alterations might have to \v made in its government. There would probably have to be appointed a principal or president, so that, the administration of the college might be continuous and efficient. He was. of opinion that this was the best, and cheapest way to get an effective scientific research institute started in New Zealand. It was not suggested that there should not be research work carried on at other affiliated institutions. Referring to literature and science, the Chancellor said: "During the past year there has been considerable discussion carri< d on in New Zealand, aa well as in our

Homeland, on the question of what subjects should be taught in our universities. L'niversify education should, while it eneour;,;,cs (he f):_,lir'.st r.s ted' aliui. lr : care that its graduates have general culture. J deeply regret that in our dominion, with nil its marvellous resources and unapproachable ciimatu for people of the temperate zone, so few have attempted to become exl)t its in our foundation industries—our agricultural and pastoral pursuits. What waste from want ol knowledge have we not seen in our treatment of i'ores.ts and of roils! Wo have lost untold millions of money ! Why should the highest education be denied for cur industries? What wo must aim at, in my opinion, is mi all round education for our students. No student should have a degree iu a university unless lie knew something of the humanities and also something of science.