H—34

LIBRARY With the steadily increasing output of scientific publications, the work of the library has been handicapped during the greater part of the year by shortages of staff and inadequate accommodation. Service to the branches of the Department has nevertheless been maintained, and the libraries of three of the branches engaged in plant research have been created or organized and strengthened during the year. TECHNICAL INFORMATION SECTION This Section at Head Office dealt with 770 major inquiries (this number does not include those answered by the Industrial Liaison Officers at Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin). The bulk of the inquiries originated from manufacturers, and shows that the service continues to be appreciated by industry. In answering inquiries, the Section keeps in close touch with the professional staff and, where necessary, with the Scientific Liaison Officers in London, Washington, and Melbourne. Abstracts. —Over 400 abstracts of articles in New Zealand and overseas journals were prepared during the year. The majority of these were for inclusion in the Industrial Bulletin. Photostatic copies of 500 original articles were supplied to inquirers following publication of abstracts. Translations.—Scientific papers published in foreign journals were translated, as required, from French, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. Certain articles published in the Industrial Bulletin were translated directly in abstract form from French and German originals. PUBLIC RELATIONS General Publicity.—The regular issue of general press releases on the work of the various branches or special aspects of this work has continued. Other press releases on matters of immediate news value have been sent to the Press Association, the Wellington daily newspapers, and the Broadcasting Service as they arose. Good coverage has been obtained throughout New Zealand, and these articles have been generally well received. When application has been made for exclusive articles, interviews have been arranged between senior officers and press representatives, or specially written articles have been supplied. General information on the work of the Department has been increasingly sought by the press, and a considerable number of inquiries on specific subjects has been dealt with. Films.—Two technical films were presented to the Department by the United Kingdom D.5.1.R., and these were lent to interested organizations throughout New Zealand. Films were also borrowed from the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization and shown to the staffs of branches and other Government Departments and outside organizations. Difficulties of arranging screening accommodation, lack of projectors, and absence of full information on suitable films have yet to be overcome, but as far as practicable the screening of films that furthered the work of the Department was undertaken. Broadcasting.—During the year a series of six broadcast talks on the work of the Department was arranged and given by members of the staff, and other individual short talks were broadcast.

57