INDUSTRIAL LIFE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 240, 7 September 1928, Page 7

INDUSTRIAL LIFE

EFFECT OF SCIENCE. EFFICIENCY IN BUSINESS. . RESEARCH THE BEST AID. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association.) LONDON. Sept. 5.

“Modern craftsmanship, with all its noise and ugliness, is giving food, clothing, warmth and interest to millions who otherwise must die,” declared Sir William Bragg, Professor of Chemistry at Cambridge, in his presidential address to the British Association at Glasgow. “A now class of workers in research associations and firms is springing up throughout England, bringing interest, outlook and scientific inquiry into touch with both employers and employees. This new class, university men, can exchange thoughts easily and .accurately with employers, jet they aro fellow-workers with the operatives, whom they are inspiring with an understanding of the purposos and methods of proper employment. “Scientific research is so necessary >to national welfare that even misconceptions cannot be allowed to hinder it. Science is not setting forth to destroy the soul of the nation, but to keep its body, and soul 'together. It is a remarkable fact that the most active industries are founded on recent scientilic research. “The electrical engineering industry might be said to have as its source a single laboratory experiment, namolj' Faraday’s discovery of electromagnetic induction, and grown by continuous adaption of fresh streams of knowledge. Much of the hope for the future of industry must be built upon tho work of research organisations. . “British craftsmen possess intelligence, skill, and-accuracy, winch make improvement possible; therefore, our industrial policy should be to take advantage of the country’s qualities by continually seeking new industries and fresh adaptions of old. The latter could be bolstered up by political methods, but the best protection is tlx© knowledge and skill which enable us to produce what others can not make.” . Sir Arthur Keith stated: “Scientific men stand out as an isolated body of servants not only of knowledge, but also of Empire. Our standard of life no longer depends on acreage, but the bra-in capacity of science. Tliat is why business men must back science. Business men constitute the army in the field, and scientists are the men in reserve, making ammunition for the business men.”