USING THE EXPERT

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23535, 13 January 1942, Page 6

USING THE EXPERT

HARNESSING SCIENCE TO THE WAR PROBLEM DISCUSSED AT LONDON CONFERENCE (BOW) RUGBY. January 11. The problem of harnessing science to the national effort was discussed at a conference of the Association of Scientific Workers, which opened at Caxton Hall, Westminster, yesterday. Sir Daniel Hall, the eminent authority on agriculture, who presided, warned the conference against propounding abstract schemes which would not fit into the existing machinery of the Government. “The real problem for us men of science,” he said, “is to find within the machinery of the Government an appropriate method of using the expert. We shall have to learn that if we are to survive as a leading nation. Sir John Orr asked that scientists should make a united effort at getting a food policy based on human needs put in the very forefront of planning for post-war reconstruction. To provide sufficient food for a new health standard for the whole . population would involve a great increase in agricultural production. • Increased production and distribution of food would bring prosperity to agriculture and increased trade, both internal and external. A-food policy based on human needs could therefore be made a spearhead for economic prosperity based on the solid foundation of the promotion of human welfare. Dr. H. M. Sinclair suggested that the British Empire, the United States, and Russia should form 'an international committee of scientists to plan the adequate feeding of the Allies during the war and of the world when victory has been secured.