Page image

1.—12

XVI

starved from lack of funds that they have hardly been able to rise above the drudgery of teaching. Our most brilliant students have either had to abandon research - work or make some other country the field of their investigations. Among those who have come before the Committee are many University professors who have declared that they were most willing and eager to undertake various specific and highly important investigations, but that unless they were provided with qualified assistants the demands made upon them as teachers rendered the prosecution of such investigations well-nigh impossible. An Illustration. The subjects of their researches need not be here detailed, but to give one illustration : It will not be denied that any investigation which resulted in the production of industrial alcohol at a price which would enable it to be used as a cheap motor-spirit would be of enormous economic value to the industrial life of the community, and might in a comparatively short time save to the people of this country more than the whole sum which it is recommended should be expended under' this head. Problems awaiting Solution. In few respects has the evidence impressed the Committee more forcibly than in this : that there are many pressing scientific problems awaiting solution in this country. These problems concern nearly every large industry, it may be even vitally- as, for example, in the case of the disease threatening the flax industry ; while untold wealth awaits the result of scientific investigation into our coals, peats, oils, clays, timbers, and other natural resources, and in even greater degree the intensive application, of science to the problems of agriculture. The Committee, after careful consideration, has come to the conclusion that there will be a much greater prospect of such problems being promptly taken in hand if they can be referred to a body the almost sole duty of which it will be to deal with them, and which will not be subject to delays such as those due possibly to the exigencies of the political situation or 1 the passing of a vote on the estimates, but have an assured finance. Such a body will also be able to organize and co-ordinate effort throughout the Dominion. It is suggested that its finance should be made secure for a period of five years. The Committee is fully convinced that within that time such an institution will have so justified its existence that future requisite grants will be forthcoming without question. Board of Science and Industry. The Committee therefore recommends — (1.) That a Board of Science and Industry be established for the development of national resources: (2.) That the Board be given an assured finance for five years; it is recommended that it should receive not less than £5,000 for the first year and £20,000 for each of the four following years : (3.) That the Board shall be representative of the various sections of science and industry : (4.) That the Board shall, as one of its chief functions, consider all proposals for specific scientific researches, and shall allot to the proper person or persons the duty of conducting such specific researches as it may approve: (5.) That in order to avoid centralization, and in the interest of economy, the Board in the carrying-out of investigations shall wherever possible co-operate with the University-college authorities in the various centres with a view to making the fullest possible use of their staffs and laboratories; there shall also be set up local advisory boards to inquire into, advise, and report upon local problems : (6.) That one of the duties of the Board shall be to advise primary producers and those engaged in industrial pursuits as to the results of scientific investigations affecting or calculated to benefit their industries, including processes for the utilization of waste products:

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert