"DAY OF THE AMATEUR OVER."

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17180, 24 June 1921, Page 8

"DAY OF THE AMATEUR OVER."

(PEpil OTIR OWN COBBESPONDEKT.) LOMSON, May 9. " Field-Marshall Sir W. Robertsorr, speaking at the British Science Guild, said:— . ''•.-•.■ "To-day there is much instability throughout the world. At home it would seem that although the country might be fit for heroes to live in, it was only heroes who could live in it. (Laughter.) Our welfare as a_ nation in war, as in peace, depends on the way in which the business of the nation is conducted; on the extent to which.the leaders of the nation, in the Cabinet, in Parliament, and m the public departments possess the scientific habit of mind, and the knowledge to apply promptly and correctly a given means to a given end. I. saw the Government machine in war for.a greater period than any other British general, and the conclusion I came to was that in , the Cabinet, _ as everywhere else in these modern times, the days of the amateur are over. Long after August 4th, 1914, Ministers nervously and uncertainly seemed to feel their way forward in the performance of their duties, having no definite knowledge of fixed principles to guide them as to the right thing to do. What we require is that every.State Department and every publio service should have in it the best scientific advice and assistance that can be furnished; all our young men who aspire to exercise Ministerial control over the future destinies of tho Empire, or otherwise to wield large administrative powers, . should attach much greater importance to the value of science as an educative- force than they have done in the past, and more fenerally recognise that a reasonable nowledge or the general principlds of science constitutes an essential part of their intellectual equipment. (Cheers.) They should systematically and scientifically train themselves for the onerous duties that lie before them. If they neglect to do this they cannot, hope efficiently to discharge their duties in peace, or usefully assist in guiding their country through the terrible ordeal of war."