SCIENCE CONGRESS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18296, 12 January 1923, Page 8

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

MEETING IN WELLINGTON.

OFFICIAL -RECEPTION.

SCIENCE AND CIVILISATION.

[BY TEI.BCRAPE.—?RESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON. Thursday.

Four hundred delegates and members attending the 16th congress held under the auspices of the 'Australasian Society for the Advancement of Science, many of whom came from Australia, were tendered a civic reception at noon to-day in the Town Hall. The Mayor. Mr. R. A. Wright,' was supported on the platform hv Sir Baldwin Spencer, the retiring president, Mr. G. H. Knibbs. the * presi-dent-elect, : Sir Francis Bell, the Hon. W. Downie Stewart, representing the Government, Sir Douglas Mawson, and a number of prominent scientists attending the congress. Mr. Wright, in welcoming the delegates, said this was only the third congress held in New Zealand, the last one being held over 20 years ago. New Zealand felt honoured at being once more the centre in which so important a gathering was being held. He paid a tribute to the accomplishments of scientists, whose discoveries bad made life easier and more comfortable. It was only when such gatherings were held that they were reminded of their obligations to those who worked so patiently to wrest secrets from the bosom of nature. The value of science on the commercial side was. emphasised, but the real test of scientific work was its benefit to the race.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, the Hon. Downie Stewart read a message from the Governor-General, in which fie regretted his inability to attend owing to prior engagements at Auckland. So far as the Government was concerned, the Minister added, it recognised that scientists in New Zealand had difficulties to face, more especially in times? when the public was clamouring for retrenchment and economy, but he felt- bound; to say that scientists always treated the Government with the greatest consideration and endeavoured to accommodate themselves ■ to the conditions of the moment. The presence of so many Australian scientists was of the greatest- importance, lending a quickening influence to local work. New Zealand was recently described by an Australian as a "mudbank," but, even so, there was a great deal in it of interest to scientists. When they tired of studving the ordinary kind of earthquake, ' there was a political earthquake proceeding in the country to which they might devote some attention. Sir Baldwin Spencer, in reply, thanked the civic authorities and the Government for so generous a welcome, this being the first time in the history of the association that such a welcome had been tendered to it. This he took as an encouraging sign that science was at last receiving some recognition and coming into its own. Such gatherings brought scientists together, and that at present was one of the greatest benefits they could enjoy for one of their chief difficulties was to get together and exchange ideas along the lines of mutual interests. The addresses to be delivered during the congress would help in this direction, but there was nothing like personal contact to promote inter-. est. It at least should not be forgotten to the credit of science that it was British scientists as much as British soldiers who won the war.

COUNCIL IN SESSION. MUELLER MEMORIAL MEDAL. [BI TEIJEGBAPH.—press association.] WELLINGTON. '.Thursday. A meeting of the council of the association was held at Victoria College this afternoon. Sir Baldwin Spencer presided. A cable of greeting was ordered to be sent to Professor Leversidge, the founder of the "society, who is now resident in England. ; ; Reference was made to the deaths of three prominent members of the association, Dr. M. S. Shirley, Professor Pollock, and Mr. 'Percy Smith", to whose relatives it was agreed that a letter of condolence be sent. The president announced that • it had been decided to award the Mueller Memorial Medal to Mr. 3. H. Maidens, director of the Sydney Botanical Gardens, and late general secretary of the association, in recognition of his services to the cause of botanic research. Vacancies on the Mueller Medal Committee were filled by the election of Sir Baldwin Spencer and Sir Edgeworth David. Local secretaries for the various states were appointed, Professor Coleridge Farr being appointed - for New Zealand. Five past presidents of the association were appointed vice-presidents, Professor Leversidge, Mr. Cragg, Sir Baldwin Spencer, Sir Edgcworth David, and Sir David Onne Masson. A. lengthy discussion followed oh the subject of the next.place of meeting, five invitations having been, received from Australian centres. On a vote being taken, Adelaide was chosen," The date of the meeting was fixed for August, 1924. Members attending the congress were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea by members of the local council of the association.