Purpose of the Association of Scientists

Sir,—Scientists are not in the favoured position of doctors, dentists, and lawyers, who must be registered to practise their professions. The legislation requiring their registration also establishes their respective professional administrative bodies, which are responsible for enforcing discipline within the profession. These bodies thus have a statutory existence, a full membership, and a corresponding power.

There is no legislation that requires the registration of a scientist; but the scientist can acquire a status and influence similar to that of the registered professions by supporting such organisation as the Association of Scientists, the Institute of Chemistry, the Professional Engineers' Association, or the recently formed Institute of Agricultural Science.

The men who founded the Association of Scientists (in 1940) were fully aware of the need of a professional body to represent scientists, and to advise the Government on professional matters.

Then, it was necessary to impress upon the Government the proper use of scientists in scientific positions, and several representations were made to the Government on this aspect.

Now, the problem is changing. Working facilities and accommodation, the loss of scientists to overseas posts, and its consequent effect on scientific leadership in New Zealand and the establishment of a career for qualified technicians in science technology are but three of the present problems that concern all scientists.

It is just as essential that scientists should have a strong active body concerned primarily with the business aspects of their profession as it is for the registered professions.

The main activities of the association during the past four years have been directed toward improving relations with the public, and with organised bodies of both scientists and non-scientists.

We have drawn the attention of sundry organisations to the grave position brought about by the migration of highly qualified scientists from our shores; assessed the monetary returns from specified lines of research; compared these with the cost of research, and offered this data to Members of Parliament and to the Press; replied to statements in the Press that presented the work of scientists in a disadvantageous light; drawn the attention of the authorities to the need for a technical college to train technicians for scientific purposes ...

The serious staffing difficulties of New Zealand Universities were brought to a head by the speech of the President of the Association at the A.G.M. in October, 1958, and the resulting publicity has culminated in the decision to appoint a special committee to consider all aspects of the University system.

The actions demonstrate the need for an organised body to represent scientists and to present their views. All scientists benefit from the professional activities of the three or four organisations active in this field, and it is obvious that all scientists should belong to one or more of these bodies, and take an active part in the direction of their profession by exercising their votes and doing their share of the work.

The Association of Scientists, the Institute of Chemistry, and the Institute of Agricultural Science each provides for student membership for annual subscription of 5/- (if paid promptly). Student membership entitles students to attend meetings and lectures where they will see and meet experienced scientists, but an additional subscription (10/-) may be charged if the student member wishes to receive publications.

Membership inquiries should be made (at Victoria University) in the first instance to Mr Graeme Ramsay or Mr J. A. F. Garrick (Scientists), Dr. W. E. Harvey (Chemistry) or Dr. J. G. Gibbs (Agriculture).