Editorial: Leading by example

Receiving high honour does not always sit easily with those brought up in this egalitarian society. Many recipients tend to accept them conditionally, demanding that the honours be seen as recognition of those who have worked with them or of the sphere of endeavour in which they have devoted their lives. Their modesty says a great deal about them.

But it is refreshing that Sir Angus Tait, made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours list, should take advantage of the moment to comment on some fundamental deficiencies in this country. Sir Angus' honour draws attention to a boat we should have caught and are in danger of missing.

His Christchurch-based electronics firm is our largest exporter of telecommunications equipment, producing an annual turnover of around $150 million and employing about 1000 people. So he is coming from a solid foundation when he suggests that it is feasible for New Zealand to take what he and his company have done as an example and produce a substantial technology-based economy.

He has done it - now the challenge has been thrown down to the rest of the country, from the Government through the business sector to the education system.

It may be that our efficiency in agricultural-based primary industry has been a disadvantage. It has been too easy. But the lamb dispute with the United States is a salutary reminder that we are dependent on a limited and unstable economic foundation. The small countries that Sir Angus identifies as major achievers in the modern world - Finland, Ireland and Singapore - have responded to their dearth of natural resources and invested in the greatest asset they have, their people.

Investing in people means investing in education. The Government may point to the $25 million earmarked in the last Budget to ensure that all schools are linked to the Internet as demonstration of its commitment to expanding technological development.

But that is just the chalk and blackboard. How to make the best use of such tools is the key and there is no evidence that the Government is prepared to invest in adding information technology to the basics of literacy and numer-acy.

The $25 million is very small pickings. So is the $28 million to be spent over three years on research capable of spawning new industries. Neither contribution signals the necessary shift in mindset that judges research based on its relevance to end users. We have an asset: brain power. It has to be developed to ensure that it reaches beyond the question "Why?" to delve into the realms of "Why not?"

At tertiary level we need institutions that clearly demonstrate commitment to pure research as much as to applied science. An effective economy needs the fruits of both.

The Treasurer-designate recently suggested that private sector attitudes on research and development needed to be challenged. Sir Angus' experience suggests the challenge has to be taken up by all sectors. Some of the world's great discoveries may have come about by accident but they did not occur in a vacuum.

New knight charges at chance to attack Govt