ASSURING THE FUTURE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 22, 25 July 1918, Page 3

ASSURING THE FUTURE

BY SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

VITAL NEED OF THE STATE.

The part that 6cience can. take in "the survival of the fittest" was explained by •Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., C.M.G. (formerly j Secretary for Education) at a meeting of i the Wellington Philosophical Society last evening. "All the self-governing Anglo- : Saxon -communities are doing something to organise scientific research in- connection with industry except New Zealand," he said. AMERICA VERY BUSY. After remarking that before the war the United States of America • had I grasped the value of scientific research, Mr. Hogben remarked : — "The outbreak of hostilities in Europe in 1914, still more the fear that America would sooner or later be dragged into *-he conflict; together with, the obvious ; fact of great advantages' possessed by Germany for purposes both of trade and war over her opponents, by reason of her organise"! ijro of .science, lntl Americans to see that the matter must be dealt with lin a more syetematic way. So in 1916 ' the National Research Council was form-

jed with 37 members representing the j Army, NR.vy, Smith'soniati Institute, I various Government scientific bureaux, I universities, scientific societies', engineer- : in<f institutes and societies, and so on. i Most of tht administrative work is done ; by the Executive Committee, of ten mem- | bers which meets fortnightly. ] "The research committees are of two kinds:—(a) Central Committees, dealing with various departments «>f science, ! composed of leading authorities in each j field—for example, committees concerned, • respectively,' with botany, chemistry, ! physiology—or committees dealing in a . general way with the applications of science to typical problemsof defence or '"industry, such as the Committee on •■ Botanical Raw Products, the Optical Glass Committee ; (b) local committees in universities, colleges and other institutions, and other special committees dej tailed for special work.

"In all cases a close connection is maintained between the scientists and the manufacturers and business administrators. In the lists of the council a-nd of the committees appear most of the names of well-known American scientic men. There seems to he no jealousy or disposition to stand aside. Finance presents no difficulty. The Government and various societies have . been, ready to provido all the funds needed.

"The actual work of research, or of supervising the research is entrusted to sub-committees of experts under the general control' of the central committees. For instance, the Chemistry Committee has connected' with it sub-committees on the chemistry of fuels, leather and tanning, dye stuffs, organic chemistry, etc. The Physiology Committee has a subcommittee dealing with the physiology of shock; other sub-committees, are concerned with control <$f hemorrhage, fatigue in industrial pursuits, and so on.. There are sub-committees on aviation and; each branch of engineering. In short, in the -matter of scientific research in the United States, those concerned seem to have a wide outlook, great energy, much , common-sense, and no prejudices.

GREAT BRITAIN'S AWAKENING.

"Tn Great Britain more caution is dieplayed, but great advance has been made towards the organisation of industrial research" —advance, in some ways (in the attitude of the manufacturers, for example), that would have seemed incredible five years ago." ■ . ' Mr. Hogben reviewed the work of the British Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and showed how the cost was carried:—(l) Research which an individual firm finds it remunerative to undertake at its own expense; (2) research financed by private firms on a co-operative basis; (3) research which must he financed by the State, if it is to be done at- all. Tlio lecturer emphasised the importance of co-operation between captains of industry and representatives of the State.

THE IDEAL AND THE MATERIAL,

"While it is quite true," said Mr. Hogben, "that we, in common with our Allies, are fighting for ideals rather than material advantages, yet I am convinced that unless we radically reform and improve our methods of production in many respects, we shall not secure the physical and material conditions that are essential to the attainment and maintenance of our ideals after the war. Unless we can increase production and extend our field of production in a greater ratio, than the increase of effort and energy expended fchereon, we shall not be able to counterbalance the fall in prices of our staple products that, I presume, is bound U> come, or even, overlooking this, to meefr the fierce competition of enemy and neutral, competitors.. The increase and extension of our_ production depends upon the intelligent use of scientific knowledge as well as upon the enterprise and experience of capable business men. We cannot wait till peace comes; it will be too late then to get a fair start. It is vital, I earnestly believe, that ttio State should, without delay, organise scientific and industrial research.

"The organisation of pure research and its application to the arts and industries, to life generally, must go hand in hand."