THE "PRACTICAL MAN" IN INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2991, 31 January 1917, Page 6

THE "PRACTICAL MAN" IN INDUSTRY

IS HIS DAY PAST?

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN

THE VAN

AN INTERESTING REVIEW OF THE CASE

When the State grant of £250 for research work was announced, the New Zealand Institute had committees formed in tho four centres to investigate tho subject. ' Tho report of the' Auckland committee was as follows: — Tho problem of the application of seiontifie method to industry (including under this head all agricultural operations) is rendered difficult in British communities by the phenomenal success which has hitherto attended the British method of guidance of such activities by practical good sense and intuition rather than by scientifically informed intelligence. The so-called "practical" man has, by the exerciso of these qualities in the past, won the esteem of British peoples; and the reputation of the man guided by intelligent theory hae suffered in proportion. Given a limited stage in the advancement of pure science on the one hand, and, on the other, a stage in tho development of an industry which may be called the "pioneering" stage, these "practical" qualities aro far more speedy, labour saving, and generally effective than tho more tedious methods of intellectual guidance. With the increasing development and complexity of industry, however, the time arrives in many of its branches, later in some than in others, when the weaknesses inherent in a system of control which lacks accurate knowledge and is incapable of applying scientific method become moro and more glaringly apparent. Unorganised intuition and general good sense having spent their force, having reached their limit, then it is that those nations which first appreciate the necessity for a radical chango of system are likely to capture all the industries which have advanced beyond .the intuitive leaving to tho less intellectual nations those which require for their operation inferior powers of mind. It is perhaps not superfluous to draw attention to the fact that this action is cumulative. For intellectual industries will tend to stimulate intelligence, but the practice of those requiring mere "rule of thumb" is likely to stunt the national development of character, while the withdrawal of the intellectual industries will tend evermore to debase it.

Don't Copy Germany. 1 To a nation which, like Germany, entered late into the industrial arena, it was comparatively easy to inaugurate the application of scientific theory to industry; for there was no special JSostige attaching to the older, nontheoretic method in that country. But it is just Britain's success as a pioneer of large-scale industry among the nations which makes it difficult to replace, by an untried system, a hitherto successful procedure; and to substitute, in popular esteem, personal qualities which have hitherto been rather despised, For those which havo been, no doubt justly, admired. These remarks on British industry apply with full forco to the industries ot this country. Most of them have hitherto existed necessarily in the rough and ready pioneer stage. But if we are now to hold our own and retain a share of those industries requiring for their successful operation the higher qualities of mind and character, thoro is only one policy to pursue, and that is to learn how to apply to them the methods and theories of science which' have proved so fertile in other parts of tho world. It, would seem that, barring exceptions, the aid of science is not welcomed—indeed, is not wanted—by British industrialists as -a body; apparently they prefer rather to devote their energies and their capital to these branches of industry which are still,in a sriige requiring the exercise of ihe qualities they possess, and they, are willing to leave to other nations thoso industries which require a sort of knowledge and capability which they themselves lack, and of which, when possessed by others, they are by no means , good judges. It must be admitted that this ■is an eminently sound and "practical" policy regarded from the point of view of the inarfidual industrialist. But in the opinion of your committee it is likely to be a disastrous policy from a. national point of view; for it means the increase of low-grade occupations at the _ expense of She loss of those requiring the higher mental powers. Education. The essential condition for an adequate application of scientific methods to industry is a wider dissemination of the scientific spirit throughout the community, to bo brought about by the extension and modification of the teachinc of. science in school and university. Amongst the means which should be adopted to secure this end are the following:— 1. More time should be given to the. teaching of science in schools. 2. Moro stress shquld be laid on the teaching of scientific method. ■ 3. Some branch of science which teaches experimental scientific method should be included in the subjects which may be taken for any examination, including those of the liberal professions, whose prestige entitles the- successful candidate to be considered an educated person. 4. Greater prominence should be given to science in the entrance examinations of the University of Now' Zealand. _ Thus (a) More than one subject in scieneo should bo allowed in the matriculation examination; (b) The nmrks given for science .subjects in the junior scholarship examination should be raised. 5. The- popularisation of the certificates £;iven by the University of New Zealand for proficiency in various scientific subjects. 6. State aid should bo available for the systematic development of popular courses of lectures in scientific subjects. Use of Trained Men. Referring to methods of making use of scientifically trained men for tho improvement of our industries, tho subject may bo considered under two headings indicating branches which are, for the most part, distinct from one another, though no sharp lino of demarcation can be drawn between them. ■ (a) In order to attain efficiency in the daily routine of an industry, scientific control is necessary in order to meet in tho best way tho various changes of circumstances which nnavoidably occur from time to time, as well as to test or analyso tho materials used in tho industry, and do tho same for tho products turned out. A good deal of chemical and enginecriiif! analysis and testing is thus required, as well as a certain measure of scientific research, to ascertain tho best adjustments, or to overcome difficulties, owing to varying conditions. That is one branch. (b) The other consists of research into purely scientific problems which may or may not bo seen to have industrial processes depending upon them, or investigations of natural resources on which new industries may ho based. 'For this sort of work the highest I scientific capability is required. Research. Tho system of Government Research

Scholarships in connection with tho University Colleges is quite inadequate. The amount of a scholarship is too small to be regarded as a remuneration for the work done; whilst, a matter of still greater importance, even tho successful student cannot look forward to any definite careor. Tlio student of the ability necessary for the kind of .research required nan command double the.amount of remuneration and , a certain future by entering tho teaching profession. If we are to have sufficient men for research, improved prospects must be offered. Otherwise, students of abiluy will wisely choose the more obvious and easier paths leading to tho certainties and prisieß of tho teaching, legal, and other professions. To partially meet the difficulty, it is suggested that appointments in Government scientific departments should be filled from those who have demontheir capacity as research scholars. Further openings would be available under the scheme in the nest recommendation. Much, of the research required in the Dominion can bo best carried out in oennection with the TJnivorsity Colleges, but it will bo obvious that tho present staffs are unable to deal with tho vohimo of. work. It is suggested that demonstrators should be appointed in the scientific laboratories, whoso work shall consist in the first place of research connected with New Zealand industries or agriculture, and who shall also be employed to assist in the teaching of their science, and in the delivery of popular or University Extension lectures. Tho combination of research with some teaching work is one which has been found most fruitful in the .Universities of Britain, the United States, and Germany. , Application of Science to Industry. 1. It is urged that tho formation of Local Advisory Boards of Science and Industry in tho four chief centres would, be of great value as an aid to tho organisation of national efforts in tho application of science to industry. Such local boards would also serve as centres to stimulate popular interest in the movement Thero should be a secretary to the board l in receipt of a Government salary. 2. Thero should be a Government laboratory in. each of the four chief centres. This should provide not only for ordinary chemical analysis, but also for agricultural and bacteriological work. 3. Ohairs of Agriculture, with associated experimental stations, should he founded in connection with at least one University College in each island. 4. Tho whole of the activities. of tho Agricultural Department should be under the direction of a man of tho highest scientific attainments. The proposals of your committee aim at a drastio change in the methods of industry, which cannot be fully brought about without a corresponding change in our cduoational system,'having for aim that a much larger proportion of the population, should bo familiar with scientifio mothodb and results. They also involve the employment of a number of more or less highly trained scien-' tific men in the work of advising those in charge of industries, of analysing and testing materials, , and of conducting scientific. research both in factories and on farms, and in technical and University laboratories.

Considerable Expense. It is not to be thought for a moment that such' a system can db instituted without very considerable expense: It is a matter for the Government to take up and to finance. If the jhaterial and intellectual welfare of the community is to be counted-as legitimate return for the employment of Government funds, then no moro profitable expenditure of public inonoy could be devised. In time to come, when some such system as that herein suggested has been well established, and industrialists have learned 1 the value of science, Government financial support might he partially withdrawn without detriment; but in present circumstances it is ir.dispensa-ble. The measure of financial support which will.be forthcoming for the scientific improvement'.and development of our industries will afford a very sure indication of the extent to which we as a nation have learned one of the chief lessons of the present war.

DON'T NEGLECT A COMMON CASE OF PILES. IT MAT LEAD TO SERIOUS KESULTS. When people generally understand that all such fatal disfiftses as tfietula, Tlkor of the Eecturn, Fissure, etc., almost invariably begin in a simple caae of Piles, they will learn the wisdom of taking prompt treatment' for the first appearance of the trouble. Doan's Ointment is unequalled for every form of Piles, Itching, Bleeding, Protruding, and Blind Piles, und hundreds of lives have been ea-vod by using this cheap, but effective, romedy. right at the start, because at auoh times a single pot has often effected a cure, while in the old, deep-seated chronic cases, several pots are sometimes necessary. Here is a case:— Mr. Joseph Abrahams, 25 Bourke Street, Redforn, Sydney, says :— "For tirenty-five years I have been;'tortured with Itching Piles. The pain and irritation of this aiknont are terrible, and only those who have suffered know what an awful complaint it is. I used dozens of Pile remedies, but could not get anythjng to give mp ease. A friend urged me to try Doan's Ointment, saying lie was sure this preparation would cure me. I got some, and commenced using it, and in a very short time. I , was completely cured. I shall Ije pleased to personally verify this should any sufferer write to me."

Three years later Mr. Abrahams Bays: '—"1 have not been troubled with Piles eince Doan's Ointment cured me over three years »ro. I bavo advised many sufferers to use this grand remedy, <snd 1 am sure it will cure in-every case if people will only apply it properly." Doun's Ointment is splendid ui all dis. eases of the skin, Piles, Eczema, Hives, Sores, Ineect Bites, Chilblains, etc. It is perfectly safe and very effective. Very often two or threo pots have cured chronic cases which have resisted other remedies for years. Doan's Ointment is sold by all chemists and. storekeepers at 3s. per pot, or will be posted <ra receipt of price by .■Foster-M'Clellaa Co,, 78 Pitt Street,' Sydney. But, be sure you Ret DOAN'S-.-Advt.