The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1936. THE CALL FOR RESEARCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20312, 10 January 1936, Page 8

The Timaru Herald FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1936. THE CALL FOR RESEARCH.

“Unless New Zealand gives its scientists a chance to do fundamental work,” declares Dr. O. H. Franke], plant geneticist of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who has just returned from a trip to Britain and the Continent, “the present tendency to require quick economic results without regard to theory, would defeat its own ends.” It ought not to be necessary in this enlightened age for any such statement to be made. But that ft is necessary and imperative, is only too evident. Dr. Frankel insists that the only wa,y to give the scientists that chance is for the University to take the lead in all research activities, and make up its mind to be a real spiritual centre. Do the University authorities appreciate the weakness of the work being done within its cloistered walls? We fear not. As a matter of fact, the University has shown itself so immovably conservative in relation to its place in the educational scheme of things, that unless and until the most drastic overhaul of the Dominion’s national system of education is undertaken, little help can be expected from that quarter in the direction indicated by Dr. Frankel. Unhappily, the University seems to be content to preserve its aloof attitude to the lower stages of education. Obviously this is not as it should be. Dr. Frankel, on his part, insists that the University should lead, whereas it has shown no inclination to reach out to loftier achievements. Dr. Frankel, however, goes right to the point in his attack on existing conditions in New Zealand: “The main fault in the research work in New Zealand is that the Department of Agriculture, which is an accumulation of bureaucrats, goes its own way without regard to the fundamental work which should be concentrated in the University—the University is at present regarded merely as a teaching institution.” It is not surprising that an enlightened scientist like Dr. Frankel should feel somewhat restless and not a little impatient on his return to New Zealand following extensive investigations abroad, because there is some point in the strictures in which this research worker indulges. New Zealand, on its part, is confronted with many problems in relation to sound development of primary and secondary'industries that are really powerful factors in determining the measure of prosperity to be enjoyed by the people. Dr. Frankel has come back to New Zealand to tell the authorities that one feature of the work of the Russians is the courageous use of new methods; indeed, he regards the Soviet as the leaders of the world in plant breeding research:

“One of the outstanding practical successes is the production of wheat in the far north, where it has never been grown before. When the new wheat growing centre in the north is fully developed it will relieve the country of the danger of famine. “Sheep breeding in Russia is outstanding. They are trying to produce a race of sheep for high altitudes by crossing the wild sheep' with the merino. The sheep will not cross naturally, so a method of artificial insemination is being used.” A frost-resisting potato had been evolved which would grow in the cold northern territory.

It would be manifestly unfair to suggest that no attention is paid to scientific and economic research work in New Zealand. Much has been done in many directions, but it is true that a golden opportunity awaits the new Minister responsible for this work, if he will take his courage in both hands and follow the splendid example set by other countries in the realm of scientific research in relation to many of the problems confronting the Dominion to-day.