SCIENTISTS DISCUSS POLITICS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 97, 18 January 1935, Page 9

SCIENTISTS DISCUSS POLITICS

Statements at Melbourne ’ DOMINION LEGISLATORS CRITICISED By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. (Received January 17, 10.45 p.m.) Melbourne, January 17. Scientific topics of amazing, variety from oceanography to medicine, and from live stock diseases to the age and educational qualifications of New Zealand politicians, were discussed by various sections of the congress of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, when it settled down to business today The 1000 delegates, scattered about all departments of the university, attended the sections interesting each. Describing the personnel of tne House of Representatives in the Government of New Zealand as being on the decline, Mr. Lester Webb, Christchurch, lecturer in political science, read a paper to the historical section. He claimed that in the last 50 years the average a£es of politicians had increased beyond 50, the standard of education had fallen, and professional men had decreased. If vacancies in the New Zealand Cabinet uere advertised, they would read: “Wanted, Cabinet Minister, preference given small farmers over 60, education above elementary stage disadvantage.” Mr. Webb said the fall in the quality of membership of Parliament was due to the insecurity of political life, dependence on party support, and a de cline in the part of Parliament in government. Weaknesses were beginning to appear behind the facade of representative government in British countries. The greatest of these weaknesses was the decline of the personnel of governments. Dr. J. I'. Duhig. Queensland, also made observations on politicians wj’.en deploring the trend toward nationalisation in medicine. He said he could see no hope of a rapid evolution toward universal happiness until a scientific outlook was imposed on politics. Doctors should participate in political life. Professor Hight. Christchurch, urged better teaching-of history. Men in public affairs should know more of the history of the people and their leaders should be prepared by education, which leads them adequately to appreciate tire value of history. Dr. Ray Gardner, Dunedin, delivered the presidential address of the pharmaceutical section. He said that much remained to be done from the chemical side of medicines.. Pure substances of great value continue to be isolated from vegetable drugs to take the place of crude vegetable extracts. These were likely to increase in importance. Pharmaceutical science had its own functions, and had often been a training ground for scientists who became eminent in other fields.