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A National Research Council. 69. If the encouragement of scientific research and the organization of industrial research is to become a declared function of the Government as recommended in this report, it appears to me to be of great importance that the men of science in the Dominion should be encouraged to organize themselves on a completely unofficial basis. Such an unofficial body of the best scientific opinion, if fully representative of all branches of science (including medicine and engineering), would be a most valuable support to the Government in influencing public opinion and by offering friendly criticism and suggestions to the Government on its official policy. The best of Departments is the healthier and better for instructed outside criticism, while occasions may well arise—e.g., the selection of representatives of the Dominion at important international science congresses —when the Government would be glad to seek the advice of an independent body other than itself. The New Zealand Institute has many but not all the qualifications needed in a body of this kind. It is specially strong on the biological side, in geology and chemistry ; but it is not representative of engineering, nor of medical science ; and I understand that the astronomers have recently formed a society of their own. Moreover, the Board of Governors is in large part elected on a popular basis by local institutes in a manner that gives no assurance of a suitable balance of the sciences in the governing body, while two are official members and a further four of its members are appointed by the Government. It is an old and distinguished foundation which is obviously doing most valuable work, and it would be doubtfully wise to suggest any change in its constitution. But it might well be invited by the Government to take a leading part in bringing a body into existence which would be truly representative of the best men the Dominion has in all branches of science. Such a body, if elected by the leading representatives in each field of work, would become the National Research Council for New Zealand. It would become affiliated to the International Research Council, like the National Research Council of Australia. The Dominion would take her proper place in the international world of science, and her Council would exercise naturally and inevitably the valuable functions referred to at the beginning of this paragraph. On this Council the Fellows of the Institute would certainly hold an important place. 70. As I understand that the rate of subscription by National Research Councils to the International Council is based upon a minimum population of five millions, I suggest that the Government might suitably make a grant-in-aid to the National Research Council, if and when established, towards the cost involved. Scientific Liaison Officer in London. 71. Finally I recommend that a well-qualified scientific man of wide interests should be attached to the High Commissioner's Office in London to act as a liaison between the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the new Department in the Dominion. I believe a trained man of science who would in time become acquainted with the principal centres for scientific work at Home, and would have a general first-hand knowledge of what was going on, could not fail to be of great assistance to the High Commissioner and to the Dominion Government in dealing with many of the offers and proposals made by people with schemes to push. He would also be able to help, no doubt, in connection with the business of the Imperial Institute, of which the High Commissioner is an ex officio Governor, and with the business of the Committee of Civil Research of the British Cabinet, of which the High Commissioner will also be a member, when it is dealing with matters affecting the Dominion. The officer would further, I suggest, be of service as an adviser to young men of science whom the Dominion Government may attach to one or other of the research establishments of the Home Government in accordance with the recommendations contained in paragraphs 29, 34, and 42. IX. Summary of the Principal Recommendations. 72. My recommendations may be summarized as follows : — (1.) A new Department of Scientific and Industrial Research should be established by Act of Parliament under the charge of the Prime Minister. (Paragraph 51.) (2.) The functions of the Department should be— (i.) To encourage scientific research and to organize its application to the primary and secondary industries (paragraph 61) : (ii.) To maintain and administer — (a.) The Geological Survey (paragraphs 43-45) : (b.) The Magnetic Survey (paragraphs 43-45) : (c.) The Meteorological Office (paragraphs 43-45) : (d.) The Hector Observatory (paragraphs 43-45) : (e.) The Samoan Scientific Service (paragraphs 43, 44, 46) : (f.) A laboratory for standards and tests, to include the present Dominion Laboratory (State Analyst's Department), the laboratory of the Public Works Department and Main Highways Board, the testing laboratories of the Railway Department, and such other local provision for similar work as may be thought desirable (paragraphs 38-42) : (g.) Such other State laboratories as may hereafter be transferred to it: (h.) Such special institutes as may hereafter be established by Government for the application of science to the primary or secondary industries (paragraphs 24-26, 29, 30, 32-34, 35)

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