Research

It Is Interesting that many governments, while spending large amounts of money in certain spheres of government activity, are not certain what the results of their expenditure will be. It can be argued, and often is, that governments should undertake expenditure only when they have a specific end to achieve; however, this age, like all preceding ages, demands the contrary: money should, on occasions, be spent first, and the value should be determined afterwards. The only significant difference in this respect between this age and preceding ages is that now the sums spent are far larger than ever before.

The equipment of the biologist Galvani, in 1790, consisted of two dissimilar metals and a frog's leg. Faraday, in 1831, was experimenting with a coil of wire, a magnet, and a compass. Neither had any specific aim in mind: it is also safe to say that neither, at the time of discovery, was aware what it was that he had discovered. Yet their discoveries were of immense benefit to mankind. Galvani had discovered the principle of the electric cell, and Faraday the electric motor. And the cost? At the most, the value of their equipment can have been but a few shillings.

Today, however, the "kite and a piece of string" days of Franklin are gone. Everyone knows of the billions of dollars that are being expended in space research. But no one can hope to know, or can even guess at, the discoveries that will be made.

The nature of this compromise makes the allocation of funds for research very difficult. Recognising that in most instances they cannot point to specific scientific aims, governments are obliged to spend money which they hope will prove well-spent, but which they cannot guarantee will be of any use whatsoever.

It is for this reason that America, in particular, is fortunate. The Federal Government is committed, by the late President Kennedy, to a huge space-exploration programme. It is probable that, were this expenditure committed to a less glamorous project, public indignation would run high. But the American people are behind this expenditure, not so much because they believe in research, but because they want an American to be first on the moon. Out of this emotional desire is coming much scientific discovery, some of it valuable.

In New Zealand the funds are not available for massive space-exploration programmes. Research projects are less glamorous, but just as necessary. Let no one object to research expenditure in this country simply because he cannot see the end of the road. We must have faith that research will justify itself. It will cease to do so only when we know all that there is to be known. That may not be for some time.—G.E.J.L.