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'Parliament needs graduates'

By Jane Rankin

Parliament needed more graduates, the Minister of Science, Mr. Talboys. told the New Zealand Science Students' Conference at Victoria University.

The lack of graduates in this field showed a serious lack of liaison between the academic and practical fields of science, he said

"The university is a privileged community, accepting and upholding academic freedom.

"But that freedom can be used effectively and enlarged only as long as the university decisions are made in the community."

A pattern of partnership between university, industry and Government was required.

Though no New Zealand surveys had been conducted, overseas studies had had frightening results.

Two out of three New Zealand-trained physicists left for overseas — hence the dearth of industrial scientists and science teachers and lecturers

It was significant, however, that many more biologists and agricultural experts remained in this country.

The reason for this was the fact that there were more satisfying challenges here than in the field of physical science.

Mr. Talboys emphasised the failure of the university to provide practical training in commercial science.

"The universities are too academic and idealistic,"he said.

Science graduates complained that they were completely ignorant of methods in industry.

The present university training handicapped graduates in their work. Industry was thus slowed down and society is the loser.

"Expansion must be as efficient as science and technology will allow," he said.

"It is in the interests of us all and particularly in the interests of the manufacturer that this should be so.

"This calls for better industrial research, more dynamic advisory services.

"It calls lor the employment of more scientists, engineers and technicians by industry itself."

Thus there must he greater contact between industry and the university, and this would be beneficial to both.