H.-47

7

The subject was also considered on the Ist February, 1917, by the Board of Science and Art, and the following resolutions were adopted : (1.) That in accordance with section 9 (2) ol flic Science and Art Act, 1913, this Board advises the Government to constitute a Central Advisory Board for the Co-ordination of Science and Industry. The Board so constituted should include representatives ol' the business, industrial, and agricultural sections of the community and of scientific men and educational experts. That further Local Advisory Committees of similar constitution be formed in the chief centres. (2.) That with a view of giving effect to the above the Government be requested to call a representative conference. (3.) That a committee be appointed to draw up concrete proposals to submit to this Board at a future meeting, such committee to consist of Dr. J. A. Thomson, Messrs. Morgan, von Haast, and Ewen, with power to add to their number. Under clause 21 of the reference to the National Efficiency Board, gazetted on the 15th March, 1917, it became its duty "to inquire as to the advisability of adopting improved methods for the instruction and technical training of workers with a view to securing more efficient service, and generally as to the necessity for further technical education, and for scientific research with respect to the maintenance, development, or establishment of industries" ; and under clause 22, "to inquire as to the advisability of establishing new industries in New Zealand, or of developing existing industries, whether during or after the war." The Efficiency Board resolved that the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Institute be asked to advise the Chairman on the matter, with power to consult other scientific men and technologists in the Dominion, it was desired that a scheme should be so arranged as to provide a maximum of efficiency with the minimum of overlapping or duplication of scientific work, and that any such scheme should be of such a character as would probably ensure its acceptance by the Government or by Parliament. It should be of such a nature (in the opinion of the Chairman of the Board) as would embrace, assist, or absorb the best work and workers of the existing scientific institutions of the Dominion, and homologate the scientific work of various Government Departments at present scattered under departmental controls. The Standing Committee of the New Zealand Institute has therefore set up an Industrial and Research Committee in Wellington to receive and co-ordinate suggestions from the affiliated societies of the Institute and from other bodies interested, and to frame a scheme for submission to the Board of Governors. Consequent on the resignation of the National Efficiency Board, the Chairman of that Board has intimated that it is the desire of the Government that the New Zealand Institute should proceed with its deliberations and report directly to the Government.* Li the meantime the General Council of Education had set up a Recess Committee to consider the adaptation of the educational system of the Dominion to the development of its resources. The committee met in Christchurch from the 16th to the 18th May, and the report dealing with scientific research was adopted by the Council in. the following form: — 1. There should be a National Advisory Council on Research, consisting of— (a) Four scientific men, one of whom should be a scientific expert attached to a Government Department (b) three members connected with leading industries of the Dominion, one of whom should represent agriculture. 2. The National Advisory Council should(i.) Consider and allot to the proper persons lor investigation all proposals for specific researches (or at its discretion reject such proposals). The proposals might be referred to it by the Efficiency Board, or might come from institutions or societies or private persons, or might originate in the Council itself. (ii.) The Council might also consider the problems affecting particular industries, to determine along what lines research might be instituted. (iii.) The Council should award and supervise the tenure of the Research Fellowships mentioned below, and should, on the request of the University of New Zealand, consult with and advise the Senate of the University in matters relating to the National Research Scholarships in the award of that body. (iv.) The Advisory Council should consider and advise, the General Council of Education as to the lines along which there could be brought about a general improvement in scientific education with a view to the training of. experts, and should co-operate with that Council and other public bodies in taking such steps its may lead to the better appreciation of the aims and advantages of science on the part of producers and the general body of citizens. 3. In addition to the existing National Research Scholarships (the number of which should be increased) there should be established Research Fellowships tenable for two, three, or more years by men or women qualified and willing to conduct researches approved by the Council. (The fellowships should be of sufficient value to prevent the possible holders from being attracted away to other positions.)

* In view of the reappointment of the National Efficiency Board, the Institute will presumably report to that body as originally requested,