Many Problems.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 851, 26 August 1933, Page 8

Many Problems.

Science and Wealth

How Distribution Has Gone Astray.

ispeclal to the “ Star.") MELBOURNE, August IS. JJOW VAST is the progress that has been made in scientific work and the urgent need for large-scale research were emphasised at an important conference of fifty physicists held here this week. The retiring president of the Congress. Professor T. H. Laby, F.R.S., in an interview made an important statement dealing with the aims of the physicists and their work.

“It means, in the first place,” he said, “ that there has been a revolution in production which began with the coming of the Industrial Revolution—itself the fruits of physical science. That tremendous increase in production of every kind, made possible by scientific research, was absorbed by the world without difficulty right up to the European war. Everything went smoothly: the system seemed able to adapt itself to the demands of science and, though there was an increase of production 300 times over in the course of half a century, that tremendously increased production was absorbed and the economic machine showed no signs of a breakdown. “ But all that was changed after the war. We now see that we have created a -whole lot of economic problems in urgent need of solution, and it is now up to science to try and solve some of them.” “ System That Needs Changing.” “ But you do not suggest that science is responsible for all our troubles to-day?” “ By no means,” replied Laby. “ While it is clear that the world is able to enjoy the increased wealth and production that science has brought, it is also clear that a great deal of the trouble is due to the fact that our political, economic and monetary systems are in need of change, and particularly the system of distribution, which has gone astra}'. “ At the same time everyone can see for himself that mankind could be far better off than it is. Something is wrong somewhere, and in the task of solving the problems, science is ready to take its part.” The Professor was asked if he could give an example of how the benefits that science has brought to the world are being misused. “ Yes, take the case of wireless,” he answered. “ That was a distinct benefit to mankind in the realm of communication, but when you have Germany using wireless to broadcast propaganda into Austria, you have a scientific development becoming the cause of an acute political and international problem. “ Then some of the evil is due to the wrong uses to which scientific developments are put?” “ Certainly. There is no way for science to curb mankind if it chooses to use these great new powers for evil rather than for good.” “Is Australia doing her share of this research work?” was the next question. “Yes, I think I can say that a great deal is going on here, particularly in wireless research and X-ray work. In most of the universities a great deal of unobtrusive but valuable work is in progress, and in proof of this the reports of the research work already accomplished are sufficient to occupy the congress for nearly four days.” A Host of Problems. “ Could you indicate any direction in which the physicists are hampered in their work?” “ Well,” said Professor Laby, “ one of our problems is that of the observatories. We feel that Australia lags behind in astronomy, and we hope to formulate a programme of regular astronomical observations on a proper system. Then there are a whole host of problems associated with aviation, farming, meteorology and other spheres of practical application. “ The field is enormous. In every direction new prospects and vistas stretch out. Even the layman is aware that in all the physical sciences, interacting more and more, the march of experiment and perception in recent years has been very wonderful.” " And how is all this reacting on mankind?” “In many ways. It is bringing science into the home, the factory and the field. In another, the mental habits and thoughts of 2000 years have been completely overturned.” “ And has all this been accomplished by physics only?” <: B\' no means. Our physics and chemistry are mere fragments of wider-reaching sciences. The pity is,” concluded Professor Laby, “ that, though science knows so much and is capable of so much, here in Australia at least, it is not able to place all its benefits at the disposal of the people. There are artificial barriers which prevent the people (and by that term I include the taxpayer) from receiving the full benefits of scientific research and knowledge, but I hope that in course of time those barriers will be removed and that we shall enter into a full possession of this wpnderful heritage.”