SCIENCE AND NATIONAL DEFENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 283, 26 August 1919, Page 5

SCIENCE AND NATIONAL DEFENCE

LINKING UP URGED IN AUSTRALIA

SPEECH BY PROFESSOR DAVID

Speaking at a presentation to him at the Royal Society of the Clarke Memorial Medal, awarded to him whiie ho was at tho front, Professor David said lio felt strongly that neither in tho Old Country nor in this country did tlio people properly appreciate tho immense value, and especially a knowledge of, science for the national progress. This had been a tune recently of propaganda. Ihey heard a great deal during tho war of propaganda, and it .was the duty of all of them, it seemed to him, to devote not only their best efforts to work in the cause of science, but to try and convince their fellow-men to help ami support scientific workers. Amongst those of the past, one naturally at onco thought of the great man in whose memory this medal had been given. During the war they heard a great deal of the "wait and see" policy. It was Mr. Clark6's belief throughout thu whole of his life to "go and see," and' the results they saw in the immense monumental work which he accomplished. Ho has left them a precious heritage yi his wonderful geological'.map. There could be no question, proceeded Professor David, that during the early stages of the war both our Army and Navy were at a very terious disadvantage as compared with tho Germany Army and Navy, for want of having in peace time a definite place for science in the schemo of national defence of the country. Science did not get its proper place at the beginning of the war. It was only towards the end that science began to get its proper place. Now that they had got the League of Nations he . hoped it would }>a a splendid factor in crystal Using peace. We do not know exactly where this was going to lead us, but we did know that our great hope foi the immediate future was in our own people throughout the whole British Eni. pire standing strongly shoulder to shoulder. Lessons of the War. Professor. David went on to urge that (ro should thoroughly learn the lessons the war had taught, and the folly of not having given science its proper place in time of peace. Chemistry, physics, medicine, engineering—especially engineering —and to a lesser extent geology and the other'scientific such as agriculture—should all liavo a definite place in cur scheme of national defence organisation. He thought it was the duty of the Royal Society, amongst other propaganda ■work, to take sweet counsel with tlib naval and military authorities, and point out to them that they Tia'l a special axe to grind in this matter. If we were to' he really assured of tho efficiency of deionding ourselves and preserving our freedom, wo should have science properly represented as part of our naval and mill-' tary defence in time of peace. "I feel_ very about this late war," said Professor David, feelingly. "In Australia wo. have lost something lileo (W.OOO young lives in order that we might bo ft free nation. Those of \ts to whom it has been permitted to survive are in v ery solemn duty bound, when we think of that splendid sacrifice, to put out cur utmost efforts in thp way of advancing knowledge. "We iieod to dedicate ourselves from day to day to ■ our simple duties, especially those engaged in scientific research, in the sanio spirit of sacrifice that those young fellows who have given their lives, and .those hundreds of others fated to survive." <

This was our solemn dutj, Professor David reiterated in conclusion, now peace had come. Some thought it was going to be easy and comfortable for us, but liulessthe whole nation put out its best effort in just that same spirit of devotion as thosß who made the supreme sacrifice, we w r ould not progress and we might go Tinde».

"If anything, I have done in my lifetime has in any way encouraged or .inspired anybody else to trv and work' in the same direction," ho added, "then that will have been to me a gree.t reward." (Loud applause.) • '