PRACTICAL THEME

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 6

PRACTICAL THEME

'SCIENTIFIC PAPERS.

PROBLEMS OF DOMINION.

ASPECTS OF ANTHROPOLOGY.

A glance through the syllabus of the Australian and New Zealand Acssociaton for the Advancement of Science whose sessions begin at the Auckland University College on Tuesday shows the intensely practical theme of a great number of the papers to be delivered. The papers too, by New Zealanders, show New Zealand has by no means lost sight of the value and the need for research.

Concerning a possible resumption of migration to the Dominion, the papers oil the general subect should be of interest and value. The economics, history- and geography sections will combine in a discussion on colonisation aiul migration. This will be dealt with historically and will bear on the present migration policies of Britain, Australia and Now Zealand. Professor A. (I. J{. Fisher, of Otago University, will give a paper on, "The Case Against Large-scale migration," while Mr. It. R. Rodwell, acting-Professor of Economics at Auckland, will speak on' "Migration in New Zealand." Dr. E. P. Neale, secretary of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, will also deliver a paper on the same general subject. In all, six papers on migration will be given.

The problem of mineral deficiencies in soil will take two days. In this discussion, the chemistry, geology, agriculture, veterinary science and physiology sections will participate. The question will be discussed from four aspects —the geological, chemical, plant and agricultural, the nutritional and physiological. In all, IS papers will be given. Soil deficiencies in New Zealand will be the subject of lectures by Professor J. A. Prescott, of the University of South Australia and president of the Agriculture and Forestry section, and by Mr. T. Rigg, director of the Cawthron Institute. Study of Native Races. Some of the aspects of tne anthropological section will be of interest, because this section will include discussions on problems of the Maori > people. Contributors on this subject will lie Dr. I. L. G. Sutherland, of Canterbury University College, speaking on the education and future of the Maori, Mr. Patrick Smyth, ''Education and the Ma'ori,' Dr. P. H. Buck, who is forwarding a paper from Honolulu, and Dr. W. S. Dale, "Culture Clashes in New Zealand." In addition, there will be a number of papens dealing with different ethnological aspects of ancient Maori culture. Professor A. P. Elkin, who holds the chair of Anthropology at Sydney University ami who is a noted authority on the Australian aborigine, will lead a joint discussion with the education, jisychologv and philosophy and the geography and oceanography sections. Tlie presidential address by Mfc' A. S. Kenyon, of the Public Library, Melbourne, will deal with black - and white culture contacts in Australia.

In tlie expansive field of philosophy, psychology and education it has been possible to seize on a topic here and there. The papers cover a fascinating range of subjects. Whether man has a mind.; or not will be discussed by Professor A. Guun, of Melbourne. The controversy on examination and intelligence tests will be ventilated, and the section will hear an account of the correlation of school marks with tlie University Entrance examination from Mr. R. M. Tnnis. Members of the association will hear from Dr. Butchers of the problems of the backblocks child to secure schooling. The subject then change = back to one of "Personal Problems i l ' Business," to be dealt with by M" H. F. Benning. a visiting Sydney psy.-hologist. The Place of Religions.

In the face of a plea for a versions revival by the Archbishop o: Camerburv, the paper by the Rev. Gladstone Hughes, of Auckland, on "Philosophy and Religion," should be of interest.

The section dealing with mathematics, physics and astronomy will open up a wide field of speculative theory, as well as give a great deal of concrete facts.

Of considerable scientific importance will be the discussion oil problems cf the f iper atmosphere, which will bring together a number of r] )e p incipc.l investigators in these problems. The president oi the section, Professor J. P. V. Madson, of Sydney, a noted authority on radio, will give an address "i: ladio research, with special reference to tlie part played by the State. In tlie general discussion, which will touch on weather problems as well as on wireless waves, introductory papers will be given by Dr. E. Kidson, Dominion meteorol >gist; Professor V. A. Bailey, of Sydney, i>r D. F. Martyn, senior physicist of tlie Australian Research Board; ,nd Mi. (i. H. Munro, of Melbourne. Observations of the ionosphere, made at Auckland and Wellington, will be described by Dr. K. Kreielsheimer. Dr. D. Brown, of Auckland University College, and Mr. fS. A. Peddie. Mr. A. R. Hogg, of the Mount

Sliom lo Observatory, Canberra. will speak on the methods developed in Australia for recording the intensity of cosmic rays. A meteorological paper of general iriterest will be given by Dr. M. A. F. Barnett, of Wellington, on the cyclonic storms which visited northern New Zealand in February and March of last year. Recent Solar Eclipse. Films shown during tlie meeting will include one shown by Professor P. W. Burbidge of the recent eclipse as observed by the university party at Rangiriri. Papers on tlie subject of geophysical prospecting will be given by Dr. E. Marsden, secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand, by Dr. C. M. Fochen and bv Dr. E. H. Booth.

A number of excursions have been arranged for the various sections. Some of these are set down in the published programme, but others will be arranged during the congess. Among places to be visited are:—Chemistry: Meat and canning works of R. and" W. Hellaby, Ltd., and City Council's water filtration plants. Zoology: Piha. History and anthropology: Muriwai pa. Anthropology: Puke-kiwi-riki pa, Papakura. Mathematics, physics and astronomy: H.M.S. Achilles, Auckland cable and telegraph offices, IYA broadcasting studios and station. Botany: Kauri and other forests and gumland. Agriculture and forestry: Waitakere Ranges. Engineering and architecture: Works of Wilsons (N.Z.) Portland Cement Company, Portland. Medical science: Waitakere Ranges.