The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1916. THE NEW EDUCATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2956, 20 December 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1916. THE NEW EDUCATION

Germany's extensive utilisation of science in her workshops ana in the battle line created for a time an impression in the mind of the non-scientific public that Great Britain had been hopelessly beaten in the domain of science. But only for a time. The truth was quickly realised that in the realms_ of scientific discovery and invention Germany occupies a position greatly subordinate to that of cither France or Great Britain. .Where the.Germans sucoeeded was in the more prosaic, pedestrian spheres of science. Fresh discoveries, original inventions, were beyond them; but, given' something new from French or' British workshops or laboratories, the German self-styled savant was in his element. The discovery or the invention would bo investigated, pondered over, and, in time, a slight departure from the original invention might suggest itself, ;ytid invariably, where possible, the discovory would bo promptly applied to utilitarian purposes. Still, the lesson of the enemy's dependence upon science has not been without its lesson for the Allies, and, at/the present time, France, Great Britain, South Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have under consideration mothods for the encouragement and extension of scientific research and of technical education. In Great Britain, early this year, something.of the nature of a campaign was begun on behalf of scientific education. Too much time and attention, it was held, was devoted to classical and literary teaching at Britain's great public schools and universities, science being too often relegated to the background. "Our political' leaders and, administrators of State Departments," commented Nature, "are in the . main trained in these schools, where Vested interests preserve the prime places in the curriculum for ancient learning, and scientific subjects are discouraged for students who hope to obtain university scholarships or appointments in the highest ranks of the Civil Service. We want," concluded Nature, "to make science the keynote of our public school and university system."

Scientific research and technical education, though they stand apart as two distinct spheres of scientific activity, remain closely related, and, to some extent, are mutually dependent tho_ one upon the other. Thus the Advisory Council appointed in Australia this year is concerned with both scicnco , and industry, among its many fnnctions being the initiation of scientific research and the study of problems affecting particular industries and trades. Two reports have already been issued by the Executivo of tho Australian Council, and these show that the Committees have been engaged on-, such varied but useful work as investigating tho possible production in Australia of chemicals which before tho war came from Germany; inquiring into the production of potash salts, into the cheapening of gold production, and into tho diseases of cattle. War materials will also fall to be investigated by the Committee. One of_ the suggestions, described as pressing, officially made to the Committee is consideration of "the manufacture of fine chemicals, drugs, and explosives." South Africa to the present has dovoted attention chiefly to the training of its youths and young men for work in tho gold-mines. Already there exists a Miners' Training School on the Rand, which is entirely under the Mines Department of the Union Government. There is now, however, a National Advisory Board for Technical Education, which provides training in what_ is known as theoretics and vocational education. A beginning has recently been made—the first examinations have not yet been held —and probably little further will bo done until peace returns. In Canada the National Liberal Advisory Council, at the end of. July, \va3 calling upon tbo Federal Govern-

monb to co-operate with the Governments of the several provinces of the Dominion "to further industrial training and technical education in accordance with a national plan which will have regard for the special needs of each of the several provinces and the general welfare of the Dominion." In New Zealand a_ beginning has been made with the view of the more efficient development of science in its relation to industry—modest, it is true, but a beginning. The silence which the Imperial authorities have imposed on all important activities touching scientific and technical developments and discoveries at Homo has led to the belief in somo quarters that in those spbores Great Britain lags in the rear. But, now and again, often by accident, a glimpse is obtained of what is being accomplishedbrief, it may be, but sufficient to dispel some very erroneous and misleading conceptions. There were, for example, the timely revelations concerning Britain's mothod of dealing with enemy submarines, and, later still, the world had an object lesson of British efficiency by the sudden and unexpected appearance of the now famous "tanks." Travellers returning from Britain speak of the great vessels they had seon building on the Clyde and the Tyne. In the shipyards those immense structures are alluded to by such names as "Hush No. 1" and "Hush No. 2." A Home contemporary says: "The throbbing Clyde and Tyne have made wondrous contributions to tho battle line, and every week the gigantic task assumes more formidable proportions. When we learn of these majestio newcomers, and hoar the marvels of their construction, it is possible to realise how remote, and yet more remote, recedes tho comparative naval power- of the enemy. Even the sailors, who treat Dreadnoughts withy indifference, speak with awe of the new vessels now in the British line." And British improvements, inventions, and developments, we may believe, are both original and legitimate. The most sensational of .Germany's departures from the normal in warfare have been neither original nor legitimate. Poisonous gases and burning liquids are no German invention; they are but methods of ancient barbarism by the Kaiser's scientists. Tho earliest mention of poisonous gases employed in war is found in the history of the Peloponnesian conflict, which took place between the years 431 and 404 8.C., while the use of burning liquids dates back to the defence of Constantinople by the Byzantine Greeks. Two things are sure: • that Great Britain remains in the first rank as a scientific nation, and that, onco the war is over and done with, the knowledge and the technical ability of her people will be devoted more energetically than in the past to the furtherance 'of industry and of all the arts of peace.