Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1947 POST-WAR SCIENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 9, 24 March 1947, Page 4

Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1947 POST-WAR SCIENCE

“IF New Zealand is to maintain her place in the post-war period, the conduct of research and the training of scientific personnel must be given every encouragement by the Government of New Zealand and support by the people of New Zealand.” In making this representation Sir Theodore Rigg, Director of the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, who attended the recent conference of Empire scientists in England, raised a -most important question, the handling of which will have far-reaching consequences on the future welfare of New Zealand. Much as we have reason to be proud of the achievements of New Zealand scientists in the past, even on a world-wide plane, and much as we have cause to be encouraged by the activities of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, there is, unfortunate-

ly, far too much reason for stating that in the past our scientists have not been given sufficient encouragement by way of salaries and equipment. This is proven in the fact that far too many New Zealand scientists have had to take up ' appointments abroad in order to obtain an adequate rate of -remuneration and facilities for experimental work. 5 If this exodus is to be arrested, it is obvious that there must be a complete reorientation of the basis upon which salaries are fixed for scientific workers. This in the past has been regulated largely by the salaries paid in other departments of the Public Service, and insufficient recognition, in the form of salary, has been given to the attainment of degrees after years of study and heavy financial sacrifice by the individual concerned. Bachelors of Science today on first appointment are given little m'ore than the wages of a general labourer, while those in higher positions receive little or no recognition in salary for special achievements. This is a matter to which the Government should give serious attention, because if ever there was a time when we should retain and encourage our scientists that time is now. As stressed by Sir Theodore there is also urgent necessity for bringing the equipment of our laboratories and engineering schools up to date and keeping them so. New Zealand cannot afford to lag behind.