The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, MARCH 19th, 1923. RESEARCH WORK.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian MONDAY, MARCH 19th, 1923. RESEARCH WORK.

In the course of his address to tlie local manufacturers last week, Mr Jenkin of the Industrial Association, Christchurch, mentioned that one of the immediate objectives of the body he is so intimately associated with, was to induct' the Government- to establish a research bureau for the purpose of furthering the industries of the Dominion. It is a step in the right direction and ! the fact that New Zealand lags behind in this matter indicates a remissness which is not to the credit of those ; charged with the general welfare of ! the country. Most places now make • scientific research ft matter of first im.

portative, and we recall that during the period of the National Ministry, the Hon. 0. W. Russell was a strong advocate for action along similar lines. Hut since Mr Russell retired from the Government, there has not been a positive advocate for the creation of this important branch of the public administration. Mr Jciikin stated that the estimated cost of the Department was in the region of £50,000. That is a modest expenditure beside the cost of some of the existing Departments which cannot have the lar-reaehing effect of development which can lie brought about for the benefit of industries. The aid of science in regard to treatment of materials, it is conceivable can bring about a great reduction in costs, and this result lias an effect for the people as a whole. The wider New Zealand industries can compete with outside markets, the greater will be tlic production within the Dominion, entailing more employment and providing more wealth for general circulation. Developments along those lines are of the greatest import to the material prosperity of New Zealand for avenues are opened for the advantage of so many, Tlio Government lias done great and useful research work for the benefit of the farming community and those employed in and about produce from the land. Tt lias paid to do so. Tn the same way there will l>e a financial advantage to he derived from the application of science to the industries of the country, which are a very material part of the life of the community The output value of manufactured articles in New Zealand for the year 1921, was in the region of eighty two and a half million. There lias been a great growth in trade during the last twenty-five years, and no doubt those figures are capable of much greater expansion. The introduction of cheap power in. Canterbury and Otago, has gone a long way to promote secondary industry. The next five years will witness the provision of like facilities in various parts of the North Island. Tint the harvest from the promising season ahead call be helped very materially byapplying the aid of science in so many ways which are of course undreamt of bv the craftsman who is lvent solely on carrying along production on accepted linos which find no room for modern methods and improvements. The changes to be effected by research work it- can be well understood must have a general tendency towards advancement, and every step forward means an increase in production. This is what the Government has been preaching, hut it is necessary to apply the force of deeds to words, and one of the chief methods in that direction is to make freer use of the laboratory to seek out the secrets of nature, and apply the acquired knowledge in increasing output, and so adding to tlie immediate wealth of the country.