THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1930. SIR ERNEST RUTHERFORD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20474, 28 January 1930, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1930. SIR ERNEST RUTHERFORD.

So many honours have been conferred upon Sir Ernest Rutherford, in many ways the greatest and most famous man to whom New Zealand has given birth, that a new one might seem commonplace. There are few, if any, higher in the gift of scientific bodies than those he has already received. His greatness has boeri recognised by a title, and by admission to. perhaps the most exclusive order in the British Empire, the Order of Merit. Its value is well indicated by its name; merit, not birth, nor influence, nor anything save personal .achievement, generally of an intellectual kind, can win it. But the award which has just been made to Sir Ernest, the Faraday meJal, conferred by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, has an interest all its own. It has been granted for "conspicuous service rendered in the advancement of electrical science." It is a tribute to a man of the laboratory from the men of the workshop, if that description is sufficiently applicable to the engineer. In other words, applied science acknowledges its deb't to pure science. Lecturing in Melbourne on the occasion of his last visit to this part of the world, Sir Ernest Rutherford said the experience of the last century had shown in a very striking way that the investigations even of the "long-haired professors" in the laboratory, without any thought of practical application, had inevitably resulted in riot only a great gain to knowledge, but innumerable applications to the life of man. He quoted Rontgen in illustration of this. He might have quoted Crookes and Lodge and Kelvin as well. The award by the Institute of Electrical Engineers shows, finally, that he might have quoted Rutherford, except that that was the last name he would use in the circumstances.

The name of Sir Ernest Rutherford is known to most New Zealanders, the main outlines of his career ajre familiar to many. Like many New.. Zealand students who have done brilliantly, he came from the country, of, farming stock. Before the days of' lavish provision for higher education,-he won his way by gaining, in successive steps, the scholarships which were • sparingly granted, and were, a, good guarantee that the intellectually fittest would survive. His biographies are silent about the terms on which he entered Nelson College, but once he left that school —now entitled to the proud boast of having given him to the world of science —he proceeded by the well-recog-nised- path of Junior University Scholarship, Senior University Scholarship and 1851 Exhibition Science Scholarship. With the lastnamed won he began his travels, reached Cambridge, and entered on the conclusive part of a career which continues with undimmed brilliance to this day. It has sometimes been suggested that New Zealand's claim to Sir Ernest Rutherford is slight, in that his true development did not begin until he left his native land. In one sense . that is true. Had he not gone abroad, nobody pretends that the research which won him fame would have been possible. Especially at the time when his course at Canterbury College was completed, a post as science master at a secondary school or a lectureship at one of the university colleges would have been his most likely destiny. Cambridge, Montreal, Manchestei', and again Cambridge did for him what New Zealand never could have done. Yet it was in this country that the sound foundation was laid, it was here enthusiasm for the austere cause of | physical science was first kindled. However much the great world did in development of Rutherford's genius, New Zealand generally, Nelson College and Canterbury College particularly, can claim a special proprietary interest in' him, one which he has gladly acknowledged. Remembering its beginnings, its growth, and the possibility that the future may make it even more distinguished, the career of Sir Ernest Rutherford is richly illustrative of certain features to be found in the world of science. That world is a democracy in the best sense of the word.. It has no affinity with the democracy which is so obsessed with equality that it would sooner level down than not have equality. It is a democracy in that the door of opportunity is always open to merits and no superfluous considerations are allowed to count. When Rutherford reached Cambridge there was no question of what school had produced him, whether it had placed the seal of social prestige on him. or of birth or wealth. He was tested by his capabilities, and having passed that test triumphantly, nothing more was asked of him than that he should fulfil the hopes aroused liy the promise ho showed. This he did even more triumphantly. Again Sir Ernest Rutherford's life shows the world of science to be an ' aristocracy, an aristocracy of intellect. where homage is paid to those most worthy,of it. Further, science is proved the most truly international force in the world. The honours conferred on New Zealand's great son have, come from many nations. The Btudents he has helped

to train, the, research workers with whom he has co-operated, have been drawn from all countries. This is characteristic of scientific work. Yet behind the manner in which he has moved and worked and held his own among the great brains of the world, the men of many nations, there is more than mere intellectual force. A personality which combines strength and patience, modesty and loyalty to those who share his labours, has helped to make Sir Ernest Ruthei-ford not only a scientist classified among the great original thinkers of the ages, but a man whom the world delights to honour.