H—34

The extent to which State Departments and industry rely on scientific assistance is well exemplified by the very extensive range of work done by the Dominion Laboratory and its branches. This is essential service work in a modern community, and its standard has been maintained at a very high level of reliability. In addition to service work, a growing volume of research work is being undertaken for industry. This work is now including some of the very difficult but highly useful new methods where radio-active isotopes are being employed. In the sphere of physical and engineering research, development, and service the volume of work has been steadily increasing, so that the Auckland Industrial Development Laboratories, the Dominion Physical Laboratory, and the Canterbury College Industrial Development Department continue to fill a very important role in providing assistance in many fields for both State Departments and manufacturing industries. During the year all these institutions have devised plant and equipment of an original kind which seems likely to be very advantageous to local manufacturers. The importance of having such facilities available in New Zealand is recognized as essential to reaching and maintaining a high standard in New Zealand's manufacturing industries. Developments overseas in the fields of electronics, nuclear physics, and geophysics are of great significance to New Zealand, and work in all these spheres of activity has been in full operation and is being extended. A reorganization of the geophysical branches was carried out during the year to provide for improved operation of the magnetic survey, ionosphere, seismology, and oceanographic activities of the Department, which also involve fulfilment of a number of international scientific obligations. The continued interest of the manufacturing industries, expressed through the Manufacturers' Research Committee, has had a highly advantageous influence in the promotion of science and its understanding. The operations of five research associations have been progressively beneficial to the industries they are serving as evidenced by the reports issued to members and the interest displayed in the extension of their activities. In this form of research organization the close association of the scientist and industrialist ensures the rapid implementation of results secured. Grants in promotion of research are now being made to all the New Zealand University colleges and to Cawthron Institute by the Department to foster lines of activity which are of common interest and to secure an increasing measure of collaboration with the University. It is pleasing to note the growing association in research which is developing between the staffs of the University colleges, Cawthron Institute, and State Departments. An exhaustive survey of the scientific man-power resources and requirements of the Dominion was completed during the year, and its results will provide a valuable basis for the development of policies both in the training and the utilization of scientists to meet New Zealand's needs in the future. T. H. McCombs, Minister in Charge of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

5