THE SCIENCE CONGRESS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18759, 12 January 1923, Page 7

THE SCIENCE CONGRESS

VISITORS CORDIALLY WELCOMED. THE OPENING ADDRESSES. (Psa United Pbess Association.) WELJMNGTON. January 11. The delegates attending the sixteenth congress held under the auspices of the Australasian Society for the - of Science number some 400, many of whom' hail from. Australia. They were tendered ■: a civic reception at noon to-day, the con-, - cert chamber of the Town Hall Being com*/ fortably tilled by local and visiting scien- _ tiste. The Mayor (Mr H. A. Wrignt) was •' supported on the platform by Sir Baldwin-. Spencer (retiring president) and Mr G. Hu Knibbe (president-elect). There were aUjOliiTon the platform Sir Francis Bell and, the ■ Hon. W. Downie Stewart, representing the- a Government, Sir Douglas Mawson, and-m.oV” number of prominent scientists who arose; attending the congress. ■ - . ’ Mr Wright, in welcoming the delegates,-,':;; said this was only the third congress to ~ held in New Zealand. The last one waa , held over 20 years ago, and New Zealand- +. felt distinctly honoured at being once more , ■ the centre in which so important a gather- , ing was held. He paid a tribute to the • . accomplishments of scientists, whose discoveries made life easier and more coin--/ for table- It was only when such gathering* ,a: were held in our midst that we were re-:;:' minded of our obligations to those who worked' so patiently to wrest her secrete from the bosom of Nature. The value of.! • science on the commercial side was stressed, but the real tost of scientific work was -its -, v . benefit to the race, and in this connection v the world owed a debt of gratitude to .tha unselfish labours, of its scientists, who .. seldom looked at the mercenary aide -of . their studies- He welcomed the visitor# to : New Zealano, wishing them a happy time. When they left our shoves he trusted they. . - - would take away the kindliest recollection* of our people. . The Hon. W. Downie Stewart, speaking on behalf of the Government, read a measage from the Governor-General, in widen . ■ he regretted his inability to attend, owing.,!.? to prior engagements at Auckland. So far ,-' as the Government was concerned, tin* • Minister added, they recognised 1 that scien- • tints in New Zealand had difficulties, to'; lace, more especially in those times wheat ..., the public was clamouring for retrenchment ■ and economy, but ha was bound to say that ■ scientists always treated the Government with the greatest consideration and en->, deavoured to accommodate themselves to the conditions of the moment. Tha presenqa - of so many Australian scientists was fi ■■■■;• matter of the greatest importance, lending v, a quickening influence to local work.. New p?? Zealand was recently described to him bjL,, an Australian as a “mudbank,” but, even- - so, there was a great deal in it of interest, , o to scientists, and when they wore tired ol Studying the ordinary kind of there was a political earthquake in the 7: country to which they might devote sotfiad . attention if they felt so inclined. Wheti t-» New Zealanders visited Australia they is always received the utmost hospitality,..-.-s and it was the Government’s desire to . reciprocate it in every way. He wished the visitors an interesting congress and pleasant holiday. . Cl 1 M’Kenrie, on behalf of the oitiaww’oc. of Wellington, also tendered a hearty wal- 'J;.> come to the visitors. Sir Baldwin Spencer, in reply, thankndMe; the civic authorities and the Government,:-! for such a generous welcome. This was first time in the history of the association *■ that suoli a welcome had been tendered' tor,v it This ho took as an encouraging sign.,’,.: Science at last was receiving some recogni*. - I tion, and was coming into its own. Such ,a. •?' gathering brought scientists together, ahA.*:.-, that at the ordsent time was on© of thou greatest benefits that they could enjoy, for.'? J one of their chief difficulties was tO'-uokr-'S? together and exchange ideas along the line* ■■■; of mutual interest. The addresses to I delivered during' the congress would ■■ nefej 1 in this direction, but there was nothing like personal contact to promote interest. It at least should not be forgotten to tho credit of science that it was British scien- . tiste, as much an British soldiers, who won , the war. Ho regarded New Zealand .-as on*:-, of the most beautiful spots south of the Line, and be ard others were looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to seeing more of it. . , , . . The gathering concluded with the singing, of the National Anthem. . ,?r COUNCIL MEETING. NEXT CONGRESS IN ADELAIDE (Peb United 'Paras Association.) j ,f;. , WELLINGTON, January, 11. A meeting of the council of the assoow*v;»; : ; tion was held at Victoria College this aftonr.-.r-noon. Sir Baldwin Spencer presided. 'jaiM A cable of greeting was ordered to bo-y-> sent to Professor Leversidge, founder of association, who is now resident in England. ■ 1 Feeling reference was made to the deaths - of throe prominent members of the sssocia.-’. . tion —Dr Shirly, Professor Pollock, and Mr - S. Percy Smith,—do whose relatives it waa agreed that a letter of condolence should be sent. ■, The President announced that it had been ; - decided to award the Mueller Memorial ~, Medal, to Mr J. H, Maiden (Director of ..Sydney Botanical Gardens and late General : (C ’, Secretary to the association) in recogmtieh r;, of his sendees to the cause of botanic rw-ija search. Vacancies on the Mueller Medal.-.f Committee were filled try the election, of 8u5,.',.. Baldwin Spencer and Sir Edgeworth David. Local secretaries for the various States wore appointed, Professor Coleridge Farr being appointed, for New Zealand. Four past presidents of the association wore appointed—Vioe-presideht Professor ■ Ldveridge Brogg, Sir Baldwin Spencer, Sri Edgeworth David, and Sir David Orm© Mosson. - A lengthy discussion followed on the subject of the next place of meeting, _ invitations, having been received from Aus/ T | tralian centres. On a vote being- -taken;'' 1 ,: Adelaide was chosen, with 25 votes, tha , date of the meeting being fixed for August, - 1924. The members attending the congress waa subsequently entertained at afternoon tea ’ by the members of the local council of the association. the Brazilian”navy - OVERHAUL IN PROGRESS. ' ! AMERICA AS ADVISER. Brazil is overhauling hefc navy. An in- • terim credit of £1,000,000 has been authorised-, ~ for naval purposes, part of which will be-,-devotod to the construction of a naval senal and the establishment of five naval bases. On tha fleet side no announcement .. has yet been mado regarding any new con,- . struction, but it appears certain that a con-,.,,* siderable programme will be embarked upon, . ; eventually. The delay in this programme. is probably duo to a desire to afford United States Naval Mission to Brazil time * in which to examine the requirements of the; Brazilian Navy. At one time the Brazilians looked to the British Navy for guidance, and obtained their war vessels from British firms. Their two Dreadnoughts, the Minos Geraes and Sao Paulo, together with the two modern light' ' cruisers and all the effective destroyers are British built, while the general organisation# 1,1 - of the navy was similar to that of the Royal■' Navy. , ' The waning of the British naval in South America is largely duo to the willi- '-' drawal of our squadron from those waters. TA south-east coast of America squadron was ; f ’- re-established after the war, but was with- ri drawn about two years ago on the score of"- ■ economy. The- eleventh-hour decision to send the battle-cruisers Hood and Repulse. to Rio de Janeiro for the opening of th»:i .. 1 ©xliibition may have dlono something toward-: ~Jrestoring British prestige, but it was ihantt'd. too late to effect the decision arrived at in' regard to Brazilian naval reorganisation;.:.'' 1 These two fine ships made a great name fot-:.': themselves, and impressed the local people magnificent examples of the skill of British-- - naval architects, while their crews won ths-ij-majority of the sporting events which were open to ships of the various navies present., At a review on shore before the President* it is reported that the British crews receivcd by far the greatest ovation on account of their steadiness on parade and fin<t,,. v physique, the marines being especially not©-r, v( ,;.' woithy.