The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1939. THE SCIENTIST AND THE FARMER

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 157, 29 March 1939, Page 8

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 1939. THE SCIENTIST AND THE FARMER

The opening of the Mount Albert Plant Research Station in Auckland on Saturday marks a further advance in the progress of scientific research work on the problems of the primary industries, the systematic planning of which commenced a few years after the end of the war. when the nation had settled down to take stock of the future. It was recognized then that one of the questions demanding attention was the provision of additional facilities for study and research work. In 1923 the late Sir Walter Buchanan donated £ 10,000 to Victoria University College for a Chair of Agriculture, which was established in 1924. Then the late Sir John Logan Campbell bequeathed provision for similar facilities at Auckland University College, rollowing this came negotiations for combining these schools m a central institution, consummated by the opening of Massey College in Palmerston North in 1928. Lands for the college were purchased by the Government, and, in addition, the Borough of Palmerston North purchased the McHardy property adjacent and piesented to the college a block of 25 acres for the buildings. In the meantime the Coates Government in 1925 had arranged tor Sir Frank Heath, of the Research Bureau, of the Empire Marketing Board, to visit and report on the existing provisions and facilities for scientific and industrial research generally. Following his recommendations, a new department —Scientific and Industrial Research—was created with the assistance of a grant from the Empire Marketing Board to correlate the work then being carried out by various departments, the necessary legislation being passed in 1926. One of the results of these activities was the establishment under the new department of plant research work under an advisory committee, whose function was to maintain liaison with the Department of Agriculture, the Lincoln and Massey Agricultural Colleges, and the Cawthron Institute at Nelson. I his development was expanded under the present Government by the creation of a Plant Research Bureau, with divisional stations situated in various parts of the country—“grasslands” at Palmerston North, near Massey College, “farm crops” at Lincoln College, in Canterbury; “plant diseases” at Auckland (the new station), and “entomology” at the Cawthron Institute.

From this short history it will be seen that when the present Government assumed office the foundations of scientific reseat ch work had been well established. A great deal of trouble and much educative work was necessary in order to impress upon both th,e farming community and the general public the great importance of scientific research to the primary industries. It has since proved a sound investment. The activities of such services as plant research have resulted in a saving to those industries of thousands of pounds annually. Recognition is due to the pioneering efforts of those who have laboured in the past to bring this about. The present Government is harvesting the fruits. In the light of these facts it is a little difficult to understand the Prime Minister’s reference in Auckland on Saturday to “one type of political pest who says that we can t afford to spend money as we are doing here and on other research ; or ±he disparaging suggestion implied in his remark that “Labour had learnt the need for paying heed to science and not blundering along as others had done far too much in the past.' A great deal has been done in the past, and we are glad to see that the Government recognizes the importance of carrying on the good work.