ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21989, 13 January 1937, Page 10

ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE

CONGRESS OPENED AT AUCKLAND GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S ADDRESS KEED SEEN FOR INTENSIVE RESEARCH J (I'ftßSS ABSOCIATIOR TBLEUKAM.) AUCKLAND, January 12. The Governor-General (Viscount Galway) officially opened the congress of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science. "I deem it a very great privilege to have been asked to be present this evening at this most important assembly of representatives of the scientific organisations of Australia and New Zealand, and I wish to take the opportunity of extending to those attending from overseas a most cordial welcome to New Zealand," said his Excellency. "I sincerely hope their sojourn in New Zealand will be a happy one. "People resident in these portions of his Majesty's Dominions were to a great extent on common ground when it came to scientific research." continued his Excellency. The relation between the latest scientific discoveries and future economic progress was very close indeed. Science was definitely an aid to progress, and it was for this reason that intensive research work was so necessary, if the Commonwealth and the Dominion were to maintain their present positions in the economic world. In view of the present keen interest in wool prices, it was appropriate that Sir David Hivett should speak on this subject in his presidential address. Other directions in which concentrated research by specialists might offer further enlightenment were meteorology (of increasing importance with the development of air transport), soil treatment on a payable basis, medical science (with special reference to this part of the world), the breeding of suitable wheats for given climates, the control of noxious weeds and pests, the shipment of chilled meat and fruit, problems of the dairy industry, in forestry and reafforestation, and veterinary science. His Excellency referred to distinguished men who had been presidents of the association during its 48 years' existence, including Sir James Hector, Professor Sir Edgeworth David, Sir William Bragg, and the retiring president, Sir Douglas Mawson; and also to the services to science in New Zealand and abroad of Lord Rutherford and the late Dr. Leonard Cockayne. "Scientific research is slowly but surely receiving its proper recognition •in the public mind as its close relation to economic progress becomes more and more apparent," he said; "but the work of the scientist, like that of most other specialists in research, requires considerable financial outlay. Research work does not always produce an immediate return commensurate with the capital outlay; but it is a fact that those countries which have freely encouraged the scientist by the granting of funds and facilities have been more than amply repaid by the results achieved. Any Government which is liberal in its grants in aid of such study must ultimately receive lasting benefit from its outlay. "And this matter of grants in aid Erompts me to make a suggestion. lany of our worthy citizens have more than a sufficiency of this world's goods. What better service could such a man render to his country than create—preferably during his life-time. an endowment which would provide the wherewithal to enable at least one student to become a specialist in his country's-service?'?'