SCIENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 242, 13 October 1925, Page 14

SCIENCE OF THE PACIFIC.

THE THIRD CONGRESS.

TO BE HELD IN TOKYO

AIMS AXD OBJECTS

Tn Tokyo, the .Japanese capital, durinp October and November of next year, tlipvc will ho held the third Pan-Pacific Science Connie-.-.. The Congress will take ]dace under the auspices of the National Research Council of Japan, and through the generosity of the Imperial Japanese Ciovernment. Tlie main objects of the third Congress, like those of the first, held in Honolulu in 1020. or of the second, held in Australia, are (li to initiate and promute co-operation in tlie study of scientific- problems relating to the Pacific region, more particularly those affecting the prosperity nnd well-being of Pacific peoples, and (2) Jo strengthen the bonds of peace among Pacific peoples by means of promoting a feeling of brotherhood among the scientists, and. through them, among the citizens in general of all tho Pacific countries. The Invitations. Tn consideration of the great importance of these congresses, both from national -and international standpoints. the Imperial Government of "Japan, upon the recommendation of the National l!e----seareh Council, made a grant for an appropriation of funds to be used for defraying-; the expenses of holding tjie third Congress in Japan in 102(5. aud the Japanese delegates who attended the second Iton-Pacific Science Congress were authorised to invite the third Congress to meet .in Japan. This invitation was extended: by Professor Joji Sakurai at the last general meeting , of the Congress, h£ld in Sydney on September 3, J923, janjd on the motion of Colonel Sir <JeraKl Lennox -Cony ngham. seconded by Dr. T. Vaughan, the invitation was accepted. On returning from Australia, the Japanese delegates learnt with a feeling of much relief that, in spite of the national calamity; that had befallen their country on September 1, 1923, there was no occasion; for cancelling the invitation, or even of [materially modifying the hospitality and other arrangements origiiially planned out. • Divisional Meetings. A question which presented itself persistently to the organisers of thp third congress was how to realise a solidarity of feeling and action, so that the objects or the congress might be better promoted, and, as a means of attaining the desired end, they have decided, according to a-.preliminary announcement, to provide for divisional meetings of a much wider scope than sectional meetings. .For .this- purpose different branches .'ql -science have • been -grouped together, in two broad divisions of physical and biological sciences, instead of, as hitherto, providing a section for almost every branch or sub-branch of s science. Divisional meetings will take /the place largely of sectional meetings, thereby _• affording opportunities ■ for those engaged in the study of different but allied 'branches of science to come into frequent contact with one another in discussions upon subjects of more or less common interest, instead of allowing themselves to be scattered, for the greater part, over a large number of comparatively small sectional meetings. It has also been decided that all branches of physical and biological sciences form proper subjects of discussion at the congress, provided that the subject treated of bears upon some Pacific problem. The symposia! subjects tentatively -selected for discussion form a comprehensive list. One of the subjects is meteorological and time service by radiotransmission in the Pacific region, and causes which give- rise- to its disturb-. Rnces. Excursions For Delegates. The conference wiil open on Wednesday, October 27, )02(i, and will extend to November 9. The programme has been arranged so that the overseas visitors will have simple opportunities to visit the places of interest in Japan. Excursions have been arranged to Xikko, Jlakone, Kyoto, Kara and Miyajima, ■wnich are, besides being places of scientific- interest, the prettiest spots in Japan, Xikko being particularly beautiful during the last week of October,, on account of the autumnal tintin- .of ■ its maples. -° ■ ■

The patron of the congress will be his Imperial Highness Prince Kotohito of Kan-in, and the honorary president, his iLC-el.eney the Prime Minister of Japan. Professor Joji Sakuri, DSc rR" *T ritU ¥ 8 I )rofess °r of chemistry at the lokyo Imperial University, and a member of the House of Peers will be the president of the executive committee and various other professors will hold offices.