SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1930, Page 7

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

FUTURE EARTHQUAKE. PRECAUTIONS. WELLINGTON, October 14. A vote of £60,000 for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research was adopted by the House to-day after a brief debate, which was confined to the asking of questions by members keenly interested in research activities, and an , expression of disappointment that the total vote had, in accordance with general economy measures, been cut down this year by £3OOO. Answering the questions the Hon. E. A. Ransom, Acting-Minister in charge, stated that no conference had been arranged in regard to the prevention of earthquake damage, but he would look into the matter, as he regarded it as important. He hoped something would be done in the direction of securing the services of men with wide know, ledge regarding the construction of buildings in earthquake areas, so that, information could be compiled of . use in future. Hie Minister stated that good progress was being made in securing cooperation with overseas research activities. A certain amount of duplication could not be avoided, but funds were conserved as much as possible. Investigations were being made, he understood, into blackberry and ragwort destruction by chemical means, and if some method of control were discovered the Government would certainly assist to get the results made available to farmers at the lowest possible cost. He would, personally go even further in that direction.