MINERAL AND METAL RESOURCES.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1919, Page 3

MINERAL AND METAL RESOURCES.

A PLEA FOR RESEARCH,

(By Wire.—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night.

The extension of the operations of the Geological Survey Department was urged in the House'to-day by| the Hon. W. D S. Mac Donald. 'The survey of New Zealand had been very much neglected late, said Mr. Mac Donald. The Departj ment ought to be strong enough, to undertake the search for minerals and road metal. In many parts of the country the settlers needed'the help that the Department could give them. They needed supplies of lime and other natural manures, and they needed information regarding the composition of soil. He hoped the Minister would consider the advisability of establishing a Geological Department independent of the Mines Department. Mr. Mac Donald added that the Government must be prepared to pay higher salaries to the experts of the Geological Department. The present salaries were far too low in view of the expert knowledge required and of the importance of the duties to be performed. He had done his best to improve the salaries during his term of office, but it appeared that nothing could be done until the Department was taken out of the hands of the Public Service Commissioners. There was no more im-

portant Department in the country, and expert knowledge was at the disposal of the State in the study of the mineral resources of the country, provided that adequate salaries were provided.

The Minister for Mines stated he was thoroughly in sympathy with what Mr. Mac Donald had said. The geological' survey of the Dominion ought to bt completed as quickly as possible. The difficulty in the past had been to get the right men and then to pay them adequately. Highly trained geological experts could not be expected to work for the Government for low salaries. The House must recognise that fact. If New Zealand wanted brains in the national service it must pay for them. The best brains were the cheapest in the long tun. .