THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1937 THE SERVICE OF SCIENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22622, 9 January 1937, Page 8

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 1937 THE SERVICE OF SCIENCE

In the programme of the Science Congress is impressive evidence of the continuous progress of knowledge. Less conspicuous in it, but equally convincing, is testimony to the increasing service of scientific research to everyday life. Even to do no more than scan the long list of subjects set down for consideration is to become cnlightcningly aware of these two developments, long ago named respectively pure science and applied science. The utility of the second depends so closely on the vitality of the first that in the customary outlook they are often indistinguishable ; few pursue knowledge for its own sake alone, whereas "to know how to do" is an instinctive and prevalent desire. For pure science, however, a good case can always be presented. By the way of research not definitely devoted to . a practical end have come some of the most serviceable discoveries. A historic instance is given in the statement of an eminent dye-maker that Kekule's theory of the benzene ring and the atomic theory propounded by Dalton lie at the very foundation of his industry ; yet contemporary manufacturers ; looked upon these two academic generalisations without interest. Strange as it may seem, science has always done its greatest things for art and industry when its gaze has not been limited by an immediate practical need. Such a need may prompt research, and sometimes indicate a favourable direction of its activity, but to allow the need to dictate the scope and method of inquiry is so manifestly foolish that the risk of it is studiously avoided as a rule. On this good principle, many large industrial businesses employ among their research workers some highly paid experts free to pursue investigations at their own will ; and their wisdom has often been justified by the event. What may seem the longest way round—indeed, a road leading nowhere—has proved, again and again, the shortest way home.

Pure science, then, bearing a name iloquent of its loyalty to the real spirit of the chase to which the luman mind is deeply committed by ts own nature, is not to be despised Decause it may offer no immediate commercial return for the outlay ipon it. To get on with the ageless piest is the thing. And how it has nade strides! As the agenda for he congress makes abundantly ,-lear, science is on the march, in :hese days, "at the double." Its ncreasing specialisation, which contributes so obviously to the detailed ichievements that constantly arouse .vonder, is nevertheless not its only nodern distinction. Much more -emarkable, although less generally realised, is its dominance of mental activity almost everywhere, to the immeasurable gain of that activity. Superstition and childish credulity ire by no means dead; in " the spread of education " are some very thin patches still ; and it seems there Tiust always be a tail to the procession. But science has rendered an enlarging service by imparting s wood favourable to open - eyeci Inquiry and unprejudiced judgment. The training of its army of workers and the continuous expanding of its campaign have been signally contri butory to what Huxley (himself ar illustrious embodiment of its spirit described as "that enthusiasm fo: truth, that fanaticism of veracity which is a greater possession thar mere learning, a nobler gift thar the power of increasing knowledge.' It has given to every avenue o thought the influence of an exacting method as well as that of a truth loving attitude of mind. Not ever religion has been denied the benefi of this mundane aid ; "mind ant soul, according well, have made on< music as before, but vaster." >S( the principles of pure science hav< won a spacio\is place for themselves The supreme aim of science—tc know —has been given respect anc welcome. Its light has still more 01 less of shade, yet love of the lighi has been broadened and deepened. Faith in the value of pure scienc< is to be credited, then, with all tha has beneficently come throng! applied science. When Sir J. J Thomson once waited with other upon the Lord President of tin Privy Council, in the interests o scientific research, he urged tha l "pure science is the seed of appliec science, and to neglect pure science would be like spending a very larg( amount on manuring and ploughinj the land and then to omit the sowing of the seed." To adopt and adapt that figure'of speech, the manuring and the ploughing have been chiefh accomplished by the spirit of science as it has broken through the crusi of unscientific thought and suppliec a fertilising element of mood am method ; but the furnishing of thf seed has been the supreme gift This seed is the knowledge won bj scientific inquiry, and about it Sii Oliver Lodge aptly said that "a! real knowledge, as soon as ii becomes familiar, can he made lisefu by those who have opportunity t< apply it/' His words are an epitome of all the progress made by tin waggon to which the star of science has been hitched. The full story o this practical progress is bewilder ingly crammed with achievement its veriest outline is amazing. Tliii generation has become so used tr hearing bit after bit of it told—f little more every day and always something new—that the progress has been robbed of almost all powei to surprise. Only when some attemp is made to mass and marshal thf facts can any popular awakeninf happen. From the deliberations o the congress, although to all excep

a few evening lectures the general public may have only meagre access,

should come an arousal of interest in what science has done, is doing,

and can yet do, to make life more

worth living,