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In the sphere of industrial fuel conservation, a service to industry has been introduced whereby a saving of 20 per cent, of existing coal consumption can be achieved without costly alterations to present plant. The implications of this saving (amounting to some 100,000 tons of coal each year) involve a number of economic factors, labour in the mines, railway and shipping space, in addition to an estimated direct saving to industry of some £200,000. Two factors have militated against progress during the year. The Department is suffering, in common with other interests in the community, from a shortage of suitable and sufficient accommodation. This has prevented a number of requests for investigations from being undertaken, thereby limiting the services the Department could otherwise render. There is also an overall shortage of the necessary scientific personnel, due in large part to the counter-attraction of higher salaries in academic, medical, and overseas appointments. This situation must be remedied if New Zealand is to keep pace with the progress of scientific development, or even to maintain her present position, and to this end an inter-departmental committee is now undertaking a survey of present and future requirements in scientific personnel. A. H. NORDMEYER, Minister in Charge of the Scientific and Industrial Research Department.

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