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Otago Daily Times, Issue 18760, 13 January 1923, Page 8

Tan opening at Wellington of the sixteenth session of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science may serve to revive local memories of the tenth session of the sam*» body held in Dunedin in January, 1904. The scene of the sittings was the Otago Boys’ High School, where those who were interested had the opportunity of' hearing' ah impressive series of papers and addressee on a great variety of subjects, many of them deeply scientific and abstrusely technical in character. Not altogether forgotten will be the inaugural gathering at the Garrison Hall, presided over by Lord Ranfurly. A telegram was read from Mr Seddon expressing regret at his inability to be present. The presidential address delivered by Professor David covered riiuch ground, and occupied eight columns of the Otago Daily Times next morning. The note struck by the gathering of 1904 seemed to testify to the cheerfulness and urbanity of scientific folk, and the meeting, the second of its kind to be held in New Zealand, passed off very successfully. The weather was somewhat fickle, but probably seasonable enough. Concerning a garden party held at Bishopsgrove we read: “Unfortunately the rain materially detracted from the function of the afternoon.” The uncertainties of January’s climate in this part of the dominion did not seriously interfere with the scientists’ hours of relaxation. They made excursions to various points of in-terest—Wai-Romgoa Springs, Taieri Mouth, and Waitati—and the energetic secretary, Mr Q. M. Thomson, ’saw to it that their presence graced a sort of baptismal ceremony in connection with the Portobello Fish Hatchery, then a hew-fledged project. The Union Steam Ship Company extended its hospitality to the visitors and fortified them with a luncheon in its best style on the Manuka. There was a congested but none the less brilliant conversazione at the University Buildings—then small in comparison with what they are to-day—the late Professor Sale performing the duties of host with characteristic dignity. A few of the hardier spirits among the members of the association essayed the investigation of the treasures of the deep by the shooting of the deepsea trawl from the deck of the tug Koputai, but the elements were unpropitioue, and the consequent addition to the sum of scientific knowledge rather microscopic.

Wellington people frill appreciate the distinction conferred on their city by the presence, on serious business bent, of delegates representing the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science. The assembling of the Congress ■will certainly be reflected in the creation for the time being of an unwonted local scientific atmosphere. The era of to-day is one in which science is crowned with a prestige greater than was ever accorded it before, and in the contemplation of its passionless, irresistible march the possibilities of the future seem more than ever boundless. The ideal of science is essentially lofty. It will be found variously defined. . Nineteen years ago Professor David furnished in our midst a definition that seems as admirable now as it did then, and as well worthy as any of reproduction. It reads:

Science expects every man in this world to learn in the simple way that a child learns the great lessons of the universe; she wants him to be free as air in his interpretation of what he sees and hears in the world of Nature around him. and she wants the simple child-habit of learning by experiment to follow him from boyhood to manhood. She wants him to learn well that he may live well; to learn by experiment rather than wholly through the experience of others, *o that ho may be self-reliant and think for himself. Thinking of this kind brings discovery, and the discoveries of science uplift humanity. Does not science uplift humanity? Hsa she not taught mm to

be fearless in the pursuit of truth—taught •them to sacrifice all for the light of truth? Year by year the devotees of science grow at a rate far faster than grows the population of the world. Science by her rigid and unswerving pursuit of truth is drawing to herself not only her votaries, but men of every shade of thought who love the truth. Such is the work of science, and if she were doing no other work than this would not her glory be greater than “glory of warrior, glory of orator, glory of song?’’

It is difficult to judge how the Lausanne Conference is progressing. The cabled messages are mainly of a speculative character. If one day a note is sounded that is deeply pessimistic the next may bring a report tending in a much more hopeful direction. Comment upon the stiffened attitude of the Turks resulting from the break-down of the Paris Conference on reparations has been accompanied by a statement attributed to Ismet Pasha to the effect that the Paris disagreement should not affect the negotiations at Lausanne. Dut even if Ismet said as much he may none the less have thought differently. Recent despatches have indicated that the Allies have been concentrating upon the drafting, for definite acceptance or rejection by the Turks, of a treaty embodying the extreme limits of the concessions which they arc prepared to make. It is quite in the order of things that the Turks should be credited with the preparation of a counter-treaty, and with the hope of coming to a separate understanding with some of the Powersi There is even considerable diversity in the estimates of the aims and methods of the Angora Turks. Some are sympathetic, almost laudatory; others are soundly condemnatory'. The following extract from the views of the Bishop of Gibraltar—based upon some opportunities for personal judgment—is embodied in a letter to The Times:

Tim Turk whom we English have known for more than half a century was rather n fine fellow. But now a new spirit is abroad —a reactionary, intolerant Nationalism of hatred and dislike, of contempt and rejection of European nations nm» notions. . .'. It seems clear that Kemal is deliberately making a breach between Asia and Europe, emphasising the "Asiaticncss" of the Turk and his contempt for everything European, so that, from the vantage ground of Constantinople and the prestige of having obtained it, he may offer himself as a leader to a hostile Asia. Let not England think that she has the old traditional Turk to deal with. No one on the spot is deceived.

The Bishop pictures the stampede of over half a million Christians from Constantinople that would accompany a withdrawal of British troops and warships from the Bosphorus. Everything humanly speaking depends, he urges, upon Great Britain, and her Government must have a stiff upper lip as well as clear vsion.