SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 114, 31 January 1918, Page 3

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

WORKERS TO CONFER NEXT YEAR. The desirability of arranging an annual gathering where papers on _ scientific subjects could be read and discussed was considered by' the iioard of Governors of tho New Zealand Institute yesterday. Dr. Alan Thomson moved that the institute s ! ould accept the invitation of the Canterbury Philosophical Society to hold a week of meetings in Christchurch in the autumn of 1919. Several speakers said there was need of such a gathering, in order r.hat scientific workers might exchange views and bring their work before the. general public. Propaganda efforts were required for the derelopniwt if science in New Zealand. Dr. Cockayne said the people of tho Dominion were awaking to the importance of scientific research. _ He had recently been in the Hax district, of the Manawatu, and had been surprised to find how keenly the flax workers realised that science should be their ally. Scientific thought (as well as disease) was flourishing in the flax swamps. Mr. G. Hogben argued that the time was inopportune for an effort of the kind. Mr. L. Birks said the war provided a reason for intensifying effort to promote science, not for delaying effort. When the end of the war came New Zealand would have grave difficulties to overcome, and now was the time to face them in a scientific way. The motion was adopted.