SCIENCE IN 1919.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1920, Page 4

SCIENCE IN 1919.

ADVANCES MADE. A MOST IMPORTANT YEAR,

The’ scientific year just concluded (stated Dr L. Cockayne, F.R.S., in his presidential address at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute) will, I feel convinced, be looked upon, in time to come, as the most important for the New Zealand Institute since its reconstruction in 1903; or, indeed, perhaps since its foundation. This will be for the reason that two important advances have been made—the holding of a Science Congress and the founding of the Fellowship. So successful was this congress, notwithstanding the many unforseen difficulties which stood in the way, that it was proposed to make it a biennial function. It has been decided to hold a second congress at the beginning of next year in Palmerston North. The idea of the congress was not new, since such meetings were provided for in the New Zealand Institute Act of 1903, hut for its successful inauguration full credit must be given to that very acti.ve body—the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury. Without doubt, these gatherings will do a great deal to bring the institute into touch with the nonseientific public, and in this lies no inconsiderable part of their value.

MANY PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

Regarding the papers read at the congress, a considerable portion were such as in the- ordinary course of events would have come before the affiliated branches. This, it is hoped, will be more on the lines of those of the British Association. Nor need a comparison on the basis of population make this appear a vain statement, for New Zealand possesses far more problems purely her own to be solved than does Great Britain. Indeed, for man years to come, abundant material for researches, novel in oharacter, will be at the disposal of our scientific men. A great agricultural centre, such as Palmerston North, is a fitting place, indeed, for the second congress. At the Christchurch' Congress agriculture was a great feature, thanks in part to “the strong support of the Department of Agriculture, and in part to a gathering of the agricultural instructors of the Dominion being held at the same time.

HISTORY OF FELLOWSHIPS

The matter of tlie Fellowship of the New Zealand Institute demands more than a passing word. First, it must be pointed out that the election of the original Fellows took place in October last; tho selection being made by a special committee, consisting of the Hon. G. M. Thomson, Professors Chilton and Easter field, and myself, appointed at your annual meeting last year “with power to act, to determine, and to carry out tho election.” There are now twenty Fellows of the New Zealand Institute, representing nearly every branch of science pursued in the Dominion. Referring to the history of the movemet which led to the establishment of the Fellowship, Dr Cockayne said tlie first suggestion of a class of members, whose admission to the societies is a matter of form, was put forward by Mr G. V. Hudson, a considerable number of years ago, but no exceptional qualifications were to be demanded. Nothing more was said on the subject until tlie year 1910, when I talked over tho

matter with many of my scientific friends, all of whom agreed that the suggested Fellowship should be difficult of attainment, and so be a very high distinction indeed. My reasons for the establishment of such a honour were: (1) That in other countries the universities conferred honorary degrees on scientific workers, whereas the University of New Zealand did not confer such under the mistaken notion that they would detract from the value of the ordinary degrees; (2) that there were certain men in New Zealand whose years of unremitting labour in science would apparently never receive recognition; (3) that the establishment of a Fellowship worthy of being won would load to that competition which is a law of nature and brings out the best in every sphere of life; (4) that more research would be undertaken and the number of those carrying out research increase to the benefit of science. Against the proposal there was urged by some that there were the Hutton and the Hector medals, as also certain Empire distinctions available for our best men. On the other hand, the above medals are limited in their application, some sciences do not receive recognition; while, as to Empire distinctions, so few come to New Zealand that they are almost negligible. All agreed that in order to make the Fellowship sufficiently difficult to acquire the number of Fellows must be limited to com-i pnratively few. The proposition was not taken up, and no more was said on the matter until Dr J. Allan Thomson brought out in January 1917, an ambitious scheme for the reform of the institute, containing, inter alia, a proposal for the creation of Fellows. Dr Thomson’s proposals were referred to the affiliating societies to consider, and and at the - succeeding meeting in January, 1918, their replies having been received, a committee consisting of Mr G. Hogben,. Dr Thomson, and myself was set up to draw up a Fellowship scheme ties. Wle accordingly considered the matter carefully, drew up a scheme, referred it to tho societies, made certain changes in our draft in conformity with their suggestions, and brought our amended scheme before the Board of Governors in January, 1919. Each clause was carefully discussed by the hoard, and, with a few alterations and additions, the scheme which we submitted was adopted. The only point of importance which was rejected was the proposal that a certain number of Fellows should be elected “for eminent service to tlio nation in any capacity,” but such Follows were not to ‘ exceed one-tenth of the total number of Fellows.” After considerable discussion, this proposal was rejected; but, as the regulations stand, the Fellowship can bo given for research or distinction in science, i.e., it is possible for Fellows to !xi elected who have done no research whatever. This gives a wide enough door, so it is unlikeiy that anyone really dieserving the honour will ho loft in the cold. As for research it must bo clearly understood by the affiliated societies and electors that this does not refer merely to research accomplished in New Zealand •> i even if published long before tho can- | didato was a member of the institute

must count as the present regulations stand. “NO EMPTY TITLE.” Before leaving this question of the Fellowship, it cannot be too widely known both by scientific men and the general public that the letters “F.N.Z. Inst.” attached to 'a person’s name constitute no empty title. It means far more than does the degree of doctor of scienoe of any university, for it is a guarantee that the holder is a scientist of exceptional merit, who has prosecuted research of a high class, and usually for a long period. This degree, if I may so call it, should rank in professional circles, and in tho Civil Service,equally with, the highest university distinctions which, as I have already explained, it far outstrips. As time goes on, it will be as difficult to obtain as the Fellowships or memberships of the British, European, or American academies.