UNRECOMPENSED SCIENTISTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 23 November 1927, Page 8

UNRECOMPENSED SCIENTISTS.

Under the caption of “Scientilfic Prosperity,” comment was made in a recent number of tho “Scientific American” on the recompense offered by modern civilisation to d l6 man of science who made great discoveries, which, perhaps, bring about marvellous changes and great advantages to industry and enable others to become fabulously rich. it is a curious feature that jurisprudence, wliich in the course of its evolution has succeeded in protecting the lights of the author and inventor, has not yet succeeded in protecting the rights of the man of science, nor in finding a means of rewarding him.

A case in point which has an Australian bearing is that of Farrar, who devoted a lifetime to research in breeding new varieties of wheat, and evolved drought-resistant varieties which have stabilized tho business of wheat-growing in drier regions, 'and enabled more than a million acres of land, previously regarded as too risky for wheat, to be used for that purpose, adding enormously to the productive wealth of the ' country. Farrar obtained no reward for his discoveries, and died a poor man, unknown even to many who have benefited either directly or indirectly from his work.

At the instance of an Italian Senator the Committee on Intellectual Co-operation of the League of Nations adopted a resolution declaring that “A new Right should be created for scientists whose discoveries have been profitably applied,” and there is said there is a possibility of something being done to give effect to it.