SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 July 1938, Page 6

SCIENTIFIC STUDIES

CAMBRIDGE’S HIGH REPUTATION. Observing that Cambridge had a high reputation for scientific studies Dr R. M. Barrer, of Masterton, who arrived in Wellington yesterday from England on a brief visit to New Zealand, said there were splendid facilities for postgraduate research, and there were some 60 research students reading chemistry, 30 biochemistry, and 50 or 60 physical science. Considerable extensions were being made to the laboratory and library equipment, half a million pounds having been recently devoted to the enlargement of the Cavendish Laboratory. A great deal of addition was being made to many of the colleges. These additions were, as far as possible, in keeping with the traditional style of architecture, rather than of the latest modern

design. Dr Barrer said that the idea sometimes voiced, that New Zealanders who went Home to the universities learnt to lead a life of pleasure rather than to equip themselves for a life of service, was entirely incorrect. Students at both Oxford and Cambridge today worked hard, and there were any number of excellent openings, particularly for scientific research students. Industrial chemistry offered lucrative careers; Government positions had been created by the tremendous rearmament programme of the British Government, and in consequence there were many openings for young scientists. He himself, however, intended to pursue an academic career.