RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 4

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES.

The information obtained by the chairman of the New Zealand Research Council, Mr. G. Shirtcliffe, on his recent visit to England should be of benefit to the Dominion organisation. - Mr. Shirtcliffe's experiences at various research stations in the United Kingdom confirmed the statements made on more than one occasion that scientists in Britain are anxious to co-operate with research workers in the Dominion. In regard to the hydro-generation of coal, for instance, it would be foolish for New Zealand to expend large sums in experimental work and equipment if a working arrangement can be made for the test of Dominion coal at a research station in England that has overcome all the preliminary stages of such investigations. The same applies to wool research, though the reluctance of the Dominion sheep farmers to accept a levy of a few pence per bale of wool exported is not likely to have impressed the English research station as very loyal co-operation in mutual investigations. In regard to fruit and grass seed the opportunities for co-operation, between Britain and New Zealand exist, and the manner in which research is being prosecuted in the United Kingdom is another instance of the thoroughness with which the resuscitation of primary production is being tindertaken there. Not only in marketing of exports to Britain but in the development of the scientific research that is becoming part and parcel of commercial undertakings is there room for closest co-operation between the Homeland and the Dominion. That is the impression gained by Mr. Shirtcliffe, who in addition to being chairman of the Research Council has had many years of commercial experience in New Zealand.