EMPIRE SCIENCE LACKS LEADERS

Chronicle (Levin), 31 July 1946, Page 5

EMPIRE SCIENCE LACKS LEADERS

Received Tuesdav, 7 p m. LOXDOX, July 29. (teriuau scienlists eould lielj) tlie Em pire tiickle tlie treinendous probletns of ihe future, saxl Sir David Rivett (eliainnan of tlie Australian ('ounc.il of Scienlilic and Industrial Researcli). Jle was reviewing tlie result of a series of recent scientific eonferenees in Britain. "Tlie Empire Jacks scientific leaders in suflieient liumbers to tacklo tlie problems of tlie future," he said. " We mighl obtain some relief by einploying iarger nuinbers of Dennan seientists. A surprising number of senior Genuaii seientists of established reputalions and the highcst attainmeiits are anxious to start careeis outside Gernianv. 1 heard of niany men holditig import.'int positions in German industrial organisations eager to accept quite modest positions in Australia i£ given Ihe chaiice to emigrate." Sir David Rivett added that tlie outlook for the reeruiting of experieneed British researcli workers ftir Australia was poor. He said that an aecelerated exchange of information was needed, together with the ntmost co-ordination of researcli activity. Two suggestions for overeoming immediate ditticulties which had emerged from ihe recent scientific. eonferenees were: (1) The employment of a number of German seientists in both Britain and the Dominions. (2) Special arrangements with transport eompanies by which a yearly cpiota of man miles eould be allotted to Empire seientists to enable tliem to underlake inter-Empire journevs rapidly, economieally and at short notiee. ' Alternatively, there shoubl be establis'hed a special air fleet under the eontrol of the Royai Society or other central organisation expressly for the use of travelling seientists.