SCIENCE CONGRESS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16323, 12 January 1921, Page 8

SCIENCE CONGRESS.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS DEALT WITH. POOD SUPPLY OF WHITE PEOPLES. 75? Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Coblo Association. (Received January 12, 11.40 a.m.) MELBOURNE. January 12. At the Science Congress, Professor Griffith Taylor, dealing with the future of white settlement, predicted a grave fear regarding the food supply of the white people. Within the next century. the whites would tend to found five world centres —in London, Chicago, Sydney, .Durban and Buenos Ayres. Professor Tavlor said that a geographical studv of position emphasised the necessity of a close, alliance with the United States. 1 STUDY OF ANTHROPOLOGY. Judge. Murray, Lientenant-Governor of Papua, read a paper on anthropology, and the government of subject races, which is specially interesting in view of the fact that Australasia is assuming the governing of the mandated territories. He urged the need for studying anthropology of the natives, and conserving such of their customs and institutions as were, harmless or helped as an instrument of good. The Government, in view of this, announced that a Government anthropologist would shortly be appointed to Brisbane. SYDNEY’S STATISTICS. Svdney statistics for 1920 show that births totalled 22.500 and deaths 0-30(?. showing that the birthrate is improving as compared with the previous year’s figures. A great proportion of the deaths are accounted for by heart disease, pneumonia and cancer; the last named continues to increase. It is official I yestimated that 20 per cent of middle-aged people died of cancer in some form or other. CHEMISTRY AND INDUSTRIES. Dr Rivett, speaking on the application of physical and chemical science vn the Great War, urged the production of ammonia-nitrate, the chief constituent of a high explosive, called amatol. To build up the chemical manufactures of Japan and America, and to neglect our own, was simply building their armies and navies, whilo forming none of ou r own. A strong protectionist policy was needed. The Congress adopted a resolution, unanimously, recommending the Federal Ministry to foster chemical industries under such conditions as to ensure the maximum readiness for the production of munitions in case of need.