TIMBER
A wider knowledge of the qualities of timber and the uses to which various kinds and grades of timber can be put can only be obtained by constant reference to the publications issued by the research stations of different timber growing countries. The Timber Development Association of Great Britain is one of the foremost organisations in the world and is constantly endeavouring to promote a wider understanding of timber technology and trade practice.
We publish below some extracts of speeches made at dinner sponsored by the Association.
a
At the Cambridge Instructors End of Course dinner, some interesting speeches were made by Members of the Timber Trade and the Timber Development Association. The Course was of six-day duration and was attended by students at Cambridge University.
Mr. David S. Irvin, Deputy Chairman of the Timber Development Association and Chairman of the Education Standing Committee reviewed timber education over the past year and discussed its future development.
Mr. Irvin: "Throughout the country interest in the timber education scheme is spreading. Last winter at 65 technical colleges over 4,000 students attended classes and lectures on timber. There is the national examination scheme in timber technology and timber trade practice, leading to the award of a certificate after three years study. In addition, a Higher Certificate Examination has been introduced, and it is noted that more and more firms are insisting throughout the country that their employees should take this course and gain the cert.ficates.
The ultimate standing of the certificates is going to depend to a very great extent upon the value given to them by employers. It is my own hope that one day we shall have all the Arms insisting that their employees take the course and obtain the qualifications as a necessary beginning to a career in the timber trade. To-day, more than ever before. there is a vital need throughout industry for a consistent policy in relation to the training of young men and women. Without this, the high level of industrial efficiency in the country can neither be maintained nor yet extended.
To-day timber is faced with competition from other materials, and it is therefore more essential than ever before that there should be a scientific approach to a planned training scheme for young members of the trade. They must really get to know the material they are handling and understand all the technical and scientific uses to which it can be put.
It is never easy to assess the value of an educational training scheme because any such scheme involves a long-term policy, and if it is to be really successful its ultimate aims must never be obscured by the superficial artificialities of the moment. It is our task to train men who will have a real, sound knowledge of timber and its uses. Educational courses are not a universal panacea for all the problems which face any industry or trade-1 am not supposing for a moment that they are but the development of them is of use to the extent that members of a trade can obtain a proper knowledge of the material they can handle and know how their material can be of real benefit to the modern world.
Timber Education
Now that timber technology is taught in 65 technical colleges, now that hundreds of students have obtained the T.D.A. certificate, questions are raised from time to time as to whether or not the T.D.A. will soon be in a position to introduce some actual qualifications to the holders, so that when a man wishes to apply for a post he will not merely say he holds one of the T.D.A. certificates, but is perhaps able to say he belongs to some institute or organization which enables him to place certain letters after his name. The Association has at all times been anxious to ensure this fulfil- ment of its educational plans. During this week, there have been many enquiries on this question from those attending the course. I can assure you it is something that has not been forgotten, and which I think I may say is even under con- sideration.
In conclusion, I would like to say what a very real pleasure it always is for the Association, students. staff and tutors to come to Cambridge University each year for this Summer Course."
司公蟻白滅專雲高
THOMAS COWAN & CO.
Tel. 30722
Room 320 Queen's Bldg., Hong Kong
The original white ant and pest exterminators of the Far East
Agents - JARDINE MATHESON & CO., LTD.
Telephone 30311
SINGAPORE
TEL. 3876
KUALA LUMPUR
PENANG TEL. 7
MALACCA TEL. 159
TEL. 3303
Agents
IPOH TEL. 66
The BORNEOny Limited-
Company
EDUCATION
The Necessity for Greater Supplies of Timber
The Director of the Association, Mr. Philip O. Reece, had some pertinent remarks to say about the timber supplies pusition in the present international crisis. Mr. Reece:
"In pulling its services for the last ten years entirely at the disposal of the Government, the Timber trade has learned a form of obedience which I think has been persisted in little too long now that the war is over. I think the trade has not only a duty to the Government-whatever the Government of the day might be-but it has a duty also to people and the future of British industry and there is no doubt that at this moment the trade and the future of timber is being rather dangerously treated by ur masters,
Timber is one thing this country's economy cannot do without, and yet it is the one thing of which we are starved. You would think that in dangerous times like these we would have taken steps to ensure adequate supplies of this very important material. But what happens? We have a Govern- ment rather like the foolish virgins, who on the outbreak of the greatest international crisis since 1939, held in this country only enough timber to keep us going for seven or eight weeks. We cannot afford to run this sort of risk! We must have more timber!
Although this may or may not be a suitable occasion I would like to take the opportunity of saying a word in favour of Sir Arthur Salter's suggestion that we ought to be accumu- lating a strategic reserve of imperishable materials. In both 1917 and 1941 we were nearly defeated because of submarine depredations on our shipping. Sir Arthur argues that, if we accumulated, in times of peace, stores of imperishable goods, then in the unfortunate event of war, our merchant and naval shipping could concentrate on bringing in our essential supply. fond. Sir Arthur mentions steel and timber and I am prepared to admit that if you take proper care of steel it is almost as imperishable as timber.
I think the trade has a right to take a strong view. I think through its disinterested services to research design and education, it is accepting full responsibility for the future of the trade and for the future of the ancillary industries which are dependent on the use of timber."
An Institute of Timber Technology?
Mr. J. R. Newman Booth of the Ministry of Education referred to the question of a professional qualification in timber technology. Mr. Newman Booth: "I think the timber trade, which has a big Association. is to be congratulated on the breadth of vision which has permitted those concerned to organise and operate its educational schemes so successfully. The past has shown that there is a big demand for this type of training. There is a demand within the trade and there is a demand from those sections of industry which are users of timber.
I wonder where we must go in the future of timber education. There was some indication to-night of some qualification. Unfortunately, I cannot speak in this regard on behalf of the Ministry, but I must say personally I hope something can be done in that. It is an indication at one and the same time that there is a wonderful amount of knowledge to be gained, and that a professional qualification is something which should be the outcome of the acquisition of knowledge. Whether that can come about sooner or later, it is difficult to realise. When I look back on the students who are studying for professional qualifications in our technical colleges by means of part-time education, I see people who are probably studying one full day per week and others two or three evenings a week over a period of five years before they reach their goal. And it seems to me that at the moment there is a long way to tread from one or two nights per week in the first three years to perhaps two or more in the fourth and fifth years as would be the case of timber technology before we reach the point where professional qualification can be granted. But I am sure that as this work in timber education has grown from very small beginnings, so the time will come when, with a greater number of persons attending courses, there will be a sufficient number of people who will be glad to take up membership of such an institution.
In saying this, I am speaking personally, but I do think there are vast possibilities, and I am very glad indeed that you and your colleagues have that thought in mind."
Every Drawing Office Will Welcome
"ETHULON"
Plastic Tracing Film
• Excellent Translucence
Fine Continuous Lines
• High Ink Adhesion
• Easy Erasure
• High Dimensional Stability
• Long Life
• Ease of Handling
• Resistance to Insect & Fungus Attack
• Full Efficiency Under Humid Conditions
Write or phone for further information & samples to
MAY & BAKER LTD.
P.O. Box 599
HONG KONG. TEL. 33693
P.O. Box 73 SINGAPORE. TEL. 2526
23
Page 25Page 26