Pacific Science

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1922, Page 4

Pacific Science

XEULKCIMI) OPPORTUNEI I MS. j SVJIMiV, Sep. 20. Attention has been drawn by ProiesHor A. IMvctt, Professor of Chemistry at the -Melbourne University to the n..ei for collecting the valuable ethnological matter now available in the Pacific. Professor llivett said that the visit e.f the British Association for the Advancement of Science in 1914 had raised hopes that the Commonwealth .Min- 1 istrv would be stimulated to accept the responsibility of enthnologicnl investigation in the Pacific. These hopes were upset by the war. Since ICI4 the urgency ol the need for this study had increased, firstly, because in the passage of times natives and customs were dying out, and, secondly, because Australia’s manda'e in these territories iu- ■ •reused her obligation, which wap, he thought, greater than that of America ni Japan, as the islands were nearer to Australia, and the Brilish race had a greater capacity for investigation in these matters. Trained men and money should ho provided; and work for a long period should be. encouraged. There would be a greater opportunity iu August of next year, when the secong meeting of the Pan-Pacific Science Congress would he held in Australia. Us attention would be largely devoted to physical and geological problems, but Australia .should make a special effort to include ethnological studies in the programme.