INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 36

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.

SIR FRANK HEATH’S SUGGESTION. WELLINGTON, June 2. Strong criticism of Sir Frank Heath’s report on research centralisation was made yesterday by a man prominent in research work, who declared that Sir Frank’s proposals merely meant creating a replica of the British Department, of which lie was merely secretary. Great Britain was one of the most backward countries in the world in industrial research, and Lad not yet begun on problems which Germany and America had already attacked with successful results. “The.j>roposal to transfer industrial research work to the university can only be regarded as a retrograde step,” he said. “A university’s first work is teaching, and as in New Zealand they are understaffed they cannot possiblv undertake research, which is really the re- * sponsibility of industry itself. The Government could accomplish more by the expenditure of £IOOO a year than by set- * ting up elaborate boards, and a central direction as proposed by Sir /rank Heath. The cost of the latter would probably be found so great (possibly £100,000) in the first year that it would break down with ; ts own weight. “In any case, for the sake of true and efficient research, it is to be hoped that such a department will not have a long life.”