SIR ERNEST RUTHERFORD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 August 1924, Page 9

SIR ERNEST RUTHERFORD.

THE FRANKLIN MEDAL

FRANKLIN AND CO-OPERATION OF NATIONS.

LONDON, July 16. In presenting to New Zealand's distinguished son, Sir Ernest Rutherford, Cavendish Froressor of Physics of Cambridge University, the Franklin Medal, its tounders have done honour to a. gfreat scientist Jand to themselves. When in 1914 the Franklin Institute of Pennsylvania decided to award the Franklin Medal yearly to those workers in physics, science, and technology, without regard tio country, whose efforts have, in the judgment of the institute, done the most to advance our knowledge of physical science or its application, theyi -little knew what a, parlous period was before tlie world, in spitp, however, of the war’s inroad on time and the opportunity lor research, Britain has already been awarded the medal several times, Sir Ernest being the fourth scientist to have this honour bestow.qcl on him. Mr. C. P. Trevelyan, M.P., president ol the Board of Education, representing the Prime Minister, delivered the medal at the Foreign Office yesterday to Sir Ernest, and with it a certificate of honorary membership awarded to him by the Franklin Institute of Pennsylvania, in recognition of successful experiments signally contributing to the present state of knowledge of elements, their constitution and relationships, Mr. Trevelyan read a letter from Mr MacDonald, in which the Prime Minister expressed his regret that his Parliamentary duties made it impossible for him to be present, and he continued: “My regret is all the keener since it is always a peculiar pleasure to me to take part in any ceremony which marks the close relations of friendship and mutual esteem which so happily exist between the United States of America and the British Empire. The present occasion appears to be a particularly happy example of the ties which bind the two countries together. It is, perhaps, in the field of intellectual achievement, a field which knows no international boundaries, .that friendship between nations can he formed and developed, and can reinforce the foundation of political friendships.”

Mr Trevelyan, in presenting the medal, said that Sir Ernest Rutherford was peculiarly fitted to be the recipient of the Institute’s medal, for he was one of the most eminent workers in the field of molecular physics, and a pioneer of the modern atomic theory. . The F.arl of Balfour, in congratulating Sir Ernest Rutherford, emphasised the great value of his work, which had deservedly won for him this distinction. He pointed out that of four Cavendish professors, three had now been awarded the Franklin Medal. Sir Ernest Rutherford, in reply, said he was doubly pleased to receive this honour. First, he felt that this was an honour conferred throng!) him on our nation, and was therefore a mark of the goodwill of the Institute. The association of Franklin’s name with the medal was a. happy one, as he was a great believer in co-operation between nations. The Institute encouraged the intellectual relations of nations which contributed towards such co-operation, and therefore towards minimising the chances of war, which he hated. He had said there was never a good war, nor a bad peace.