The Dominion. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1914. THE PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2211, 25 July 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1914. THE PRACTICAL POINT OF VIEW

The members of the British Association for tho Advancement of Science avo now arriving in Australia for the purpose of attending the annual congress, which is to be held this year in Sydney and Melbourne. The official proceedings will be opened in the latter city on August 14, when tho first portion of the Presidential Address will bo delivered by Professor William Bateson, who has mado a spccial study _ of the various theories of heredity and kindred subjects. After .the congress is concludcd a largo number of the distinguished visitors will conic on to New Zealand, and hold discussions ' with local experts on some of tho scientific problems mora or lor.? porviJjgv to thin p«vt o£ . tho world, besides giving a number

of popular lectures in tho principal centres. The visit is sure to prova of great interest, and may bo expected to give a very considerable impetus to , special research work and to the geneiral teaching of science in the Dominion and Commonwealth. Tho British Association usually holds its meetings in different centres of the United Kingdom, but during recent years it has paid visits to Canada and South Africa, and this year Australasia is to have tho privilege of showing its hospitality to the members of tho Parliament of British Science. Tho association was founded by Sir ,David Brewster and others in 1831, and its first meeting was held in York. Broadly speaking, its object is "to promote the intercourse with each other ot those who cultivate science." It gives leading scientists a yearly opportunity of comparing notes, reviewing the progress in various branches of knowledge, and submitting new ideas to the test of the most competent expert criticism of tho ; day. • .

The average man, while duly impressed in a rather vaguo sort of way with the almost sacred authority which in these days has become associated with the word "science," has his doubts to the practical utility of some branches of scientific research. He may even be a little dubious as to whether it is really worth while for these masters' of world-wide fame to travel all the way to Australia and New Zealand to talk about the many mysterious "ologies" of which that vory' active, but rather intangible, thing called "modern thought" is composed.' Though' "science-" has now become a word to conjure with, many people still fail to do justice to the intensely practical side of the work of the scientist. They realise that the actual inventors of the telegraph, the telephone, the locomotive, and the flying machine have not laboured in vain; but they do not adequately _ appreciate the theoretical foundations on which these practical inventions rest. But even from the point of view of the strictest utilitarian, the coming of the British Association to Australasia'may be expected to have beneficial results of a permanent character. A writer in tho London Times expresses the opinion that the visit will add completeness io "that system of exchange of scientific'thought and scientific men. between the United Kingdom and the Dominions overseas which has t been steadily growing since the beginning of tho century; and it will serve to link still more closely the newer universities with the older throughout the whole of the Empire. \ ' , The meotings of the-British Association in South Africa and Canada were followed by tangible results in , the form of- new scientific institutions arid laboratories, besides stimulating public interest in the great work which science is doing for, mar kind, and there is every reason to b , lievc that the approaching visit to Australia and New Zealand will be equally.fruitful. The writer already referred to states that opportunities will be afforded for joint discussion on co-operation in research between investigators in these southern lands arid scientists living in tho Northern Hemisphere as regards astronomical, meteorological and anthropological' problems. Problems are awaiting attack "affecting. every,.department of science, "vbich' can" only' be car-' ricd to 'completion with the aid of data obtained in the Southern' Hemisphere. arid the southernmost conr tinent'."' 1 Australia and the Pacific Islands, provido a most promising .field for the study, of anthropology —that is tho natural history of man; and even the most practical mind will hardly venture , to quarrel with the assertion that "the proper study of mankind is man." This science, which has recently made great progress, is of first-rate importance to an Empire like our own, which includes many savage' peoples, and others in various stages of civilisation. The human race cannot be fully understood apart from its history. The story of primitive man helps us to appreciate the point;, of view of the moder ( n savage, and the study of tho modern savage assists us in forming an idea of the life and thought of our rude forefathers, who wandered over the face of the earth some hundred thousand years ago. The Australian aborigine possesses quito an exceptional interest for the -anthropologist, as he is supposed to bo very like primitive man. Volumes have been written about his ■'manners and customs and his religious ideas, but it is extremely difficult to get at the back of his mind. The visiting anthropologists are going to give a good deal of , attention to the Australian black, and perhaps their investigations and'discussions in Australia and New- Zealand may help to solve some of the puzzling problems connected with the origin and development of the human race. The Commonwealth Government and the people of Australia are making expreparations to ensure thatthe visit of the Association shall be a complete success, and the Government and people of New Zealand are not likely to_ be any less enthusiastic in their desire to make the,most of the presence in our midst of some of the leading scientists of the world.