WOMEN' AS SCIENTISTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 166, 19 August 1914, Page 3

WOMEN' AS SCIENTISTS.

j Quite a nuuifeer of Sydney woinet. have associated themselves with tin ! Science Congress during the short time Its members will be in Sydney, says the Sydney '"Telegraph." And the fact that many of them are girls, following a profession, Speaks well for the scientific trend of Sydney women. &ir William Kameay, the eminent scientist, however, . does not. hold out much hope of j women, at present at any rate, attaiu- ' ing to greatness" in the scientific world. In the' course of a recent conversation m London, he he was afraid there -was little '■■% latly;;? scientists; there' was little |iope that women woull ever compete with-men iit scientific research. The highest positions arid undoubted fiirrie were open to'women whose ability as scientists was sufficient to claim both. . A handful of women had claimed and won the reward of genius. But they were more -than two jor three. A cluster of others had done good work. Another small company were employed as teachers of science, but after that women and science appeared to le divorced from one another.

Asked why that was so, Sir' William said: —

"It is easier for me to tell you why it is not than why it in- —womeu have no lack of the analytical powers essential to the succc?sfu v l scientist. What splendid novels they write! Novels need n mind that can analyse, reason, and deduce from facts relating to .'-personal characters? No, women do not lack the analytical faculty. Moreover, those engaged in science at the present time are equal to men in conscientious work, painstaking labour, concentration, and the care put into'their work. "It is a noticeable fact, moreover," he continued, "that ail the eminent women scientists have achieved their best work when collaborating with a male colleague. M. and Mine. Curie, Mrs Sidgwiek and Lord Eayleigh, Professor and Mrs Ayrton, are examples"; ami other .examples : are also not infrequent, if the transactions of learned societies are referred-to.

"'•Scientific research-usually becomes limited when a womau scientist, accustomed to work with a colleague, dispenses with his services and works alone. I think this fact is associated with one of the chief feminine charms —women work best- when employed with someone and for someone. They labour less for material results than is the case with men, hence they only put their best into work that is inspired by some object outside the work. They need something to spur tliem on and encourage fresh effort. Perhaps <£his is why the best work done by them has been always the joint product of colleagues in partner-;.i-.ip.

"•Althcfugh so few women are eminent scientists there are still some ways in which girls with a scientific turn of miny,, might earn a living. % Lady seeretaries possessed of some scientific, knowledge can offer admirable help to scientists engaged in writing on scientific subjects. These girls make a place for themselves. If their knowledge is sufficient much help can be given to the author. Here lies an opportunity for the enterprising gh;b"Many doctors have lady secretaries, who acquire some know-

ledge oi medicine, and who have often heen trained as ntuves. Then most girls' schools have a science mistress on the staff, and there-..are. some, -efficient lady instructors in the various branches of science.''