INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

Evening Star, Issue 19785, 8 February 1928, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

BENEFIT TO 1 MANUFACTURERS DUNEDIN BUSINESS MEN KEEN Dunedin manufacturers are realising the benefits likely to be gained from the services of the Industrial Research Department. A further step towards the grouping of the various industries was taken by the Manufacturers’ Association last night, when it was decided to hold a meeting with a research expert to commence a grouping scheme. Mr J. Sutherland Ross said there was little to report on industrial research, as any action had to come from I,he manufacturers themselves. The Department of Industrial Research was anxious to be of every assistance, but manufacturers did not know their problems. Mr Ross referred to the great benefits to the world from medical research through largo sums being given for the investigations. The Panama Canal had really been constructed through medical research, two doctors having made a study of overpowering the yellow fever germ. Both the department and the Government were prepared to help the manufacturers in solving questions of waste material and eneigy and other problems. They were in very close touch with large research associations in England, the United States, and Europe, and were prepared to help any manufacturers who placed problems before them. If the information was not available in New Zealand the department was willing to communicate with the kindred associations in other parts of the world. There tvero many small manufacturers who were not in the; associations, but any problems of theirs that cropped up the Research Department was willing to investigate. When he had interviewed Dr Marsden and his assistant (Mr Wright), stated Mr Ross, he had suggested that tho question of cost would bo one that would crop up on many occasions, but they had felt it was not a matter to bother about at present. Ho had stated that he could not go to his association without something definite, and had been informed that the department was ready to do any work required at cost price, and, if desired, would give an estimate of the cost of any investigation. It was not easy lor people (o come along at once and put their problems before the department, but he felt very .strongly that a great deal could bo dune if tho manufacturers could only give the department an opportunity to help them. Mr Wrigut was in Dunedin on Monday, and would be back again in the course of a few days. He would bo prepared to talk to anyone who wished to see him on the subject. The question of leather research was a very important one, and a great deal of information had been secured for the benefit of tanners and others interested m leather. Fuel research was another matter that was going to mean a great deal to the country. In the freezing industry thousands of pounds’ worth of material had been scrapped on the supposition that it was of no value, and the same thing held good in regard to the secondary industries generally. A good many people felt that the time for research was not opportune just now, and that the work could not bo done without tho expenditure of a groat deal of money, said Mr Ross. Flo thought that possibly a good many concerns might prefer to wait lor a short time before embarking on expenditure of this nature. Flo knew that some bodies bail their own research arrangements made, but ho felt very strongly that it would bo a grave mis- „ take to turn down this opportunity entirely. The members of the association were not very vocal, but at tho same time they were all very keenly interested in manufacturing, and he was convinced that there would be a great saving for all of them m the future if they could) make uso of tho means before them at present. He had sent a circular to tho mariulaciuring associations, hut owing to tlio holidays there had not been a very definite reply yet, Canterbury suggested getting the centres into groups, which could submit their problems to the department. Anything concrete must como from tho manufacturers themselves, and ho hoped uiey would see tuo wisdom ol taxing tins matter up, though uiey mignt ueler it till a later day. Mr i. Somerville (.president; expressed the association’s maims to Mr Ross for his report. The difliculty was tlio modus operandi or grouping of industries. The grouping would ho one or the first jobs of a dominion organiser if one were appointed. When Dr Marsden was m Dunedin, he (Mr Somerville) had suggested that another early visit to discuss matters with manufacturers would be advisable. Tlio question was fho faking of the first step lxwards creating the grouping. 'They failed because no one had been definitely set aside to crystalme matters by forming groups. The best way would be for Dr Marsden or Mr Wright t,j again visit Dunedin and meet the manufacturers.

Mr T. Tompkins said that the grouping ot the (aiming indusky had been almost finalised. The industry found i'SUU and the Government gave a Jiko subsidy. Mr J. Cuddy; Do they undertake to solve all your problems. Mr Tompkins: Yes. They intend to establish a laboratory at Wellington for leather research, and if they cannot get satisfaction the whole of the researches of England and America are at their disposal. “ Would it not have to be a dominion arrangement in many cases?” asked Mr James Hogg. The President: Yes, it would be the best way. Mr Ross: And the dominion would be a subscriber to the laboratories of the world. To Mr Cuddy, Mr Tompkins stated that the tanners had made the arrangements amongst Any individual could bring forward his own problems. Mr Hogg said ho understood that under a dominion scheme every manufacturer would receive the benefit of individual researches. Mr Ross: Yes. Mr Tompkins said (hat Dr Marsdcn had made the point that the of secrecy were past. Mr Cuddy said an expert had visited his factory and had immediately pointed out where improvements could be made. , , , ~ Mr G. W. Held (the secretary) said that the individual manufacturers would probably say they had no problems, but an expert would soon discover them. , Mr Somerville: That is why the research schemes should be commended. The association decided to leave m Mr Ross’s hands the calling of a meeting when Mr Wright visits Dunedin towards the end of the week.