The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1926. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1926. SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY.

On this subject an English commercial paper goes on to say that while there has been no falling off in Great Britain in achievements in the field of fundamental research, it remains that Britain does not make a very good showing in the practical application of scientific knowledge to the great industries based upon science. It is sometimes said by way of excuse that Great Britain is under the disadvantage of not possessing the material resources which are the essentials of successful industry. But, as recently pointed out by Lord Balfour, the trend of modem industry is to reduce the variety of raw materials necessary, many valuable modern commercial prod nets requiring nothing more than coal, water and air, these being, for example, the essential materials for the production of synthetic ammonia and methyl alcohol. Then there is the question of utilizing, coal as the raw material of other forms of fuel. Great developments will not, perhaps, come so much from low temperature carbonization as from some process for the hydrogennratian of coal, which would relieve industry from reliance on the oilfields of the world. It would obviously he an enormous advantage to Great Britain if it were possible to utilize the coal deposits for the reduction of liquid fuel. Sooner or later, Lord Balfour believes this will he accomplished, and, further, the chemical industry should be capable of turning coal to every sort of account from the production of dyes to heavy oils, thus adding immensely to production and employment in this country. All will agree with Lord Balfour that it is unfortunate that the applications of science referred to whether successful or merely on the way to success, are of foreign origin, and will heartily endorse his plea for a combination of the business capacity and other great quali- j ties of the British business community with special scientific knowledge and a broad and imaginative outlook, which arc the bases of the great industries in competitive countries. It- is indeed remarkable that Great Britain should appear to he so much in the rear in regard to the application of science to industry. With the' advanced stage of education in the United Kingdom ns compared to many .continental countries it would he expected there would he ;ui aptness for all branches of scholastic work, with the result that Great Britain would lead all nations. The oonlit ion of industry at Home, with rank ipon rank of unemployed is deplorable. Die trouble with the coalmines is due irimarily to the non-paying coal mines, vhicli are operated by obsolete mothids, and the economic returns preclude ligher wages. The application of cience in various directions would nsist greatly to overcome the unemploy'd problem, and lend to a more satisfied ondition of affairs in the coal pits. Te fact that when sheer necessity [rove in war-time for the aid of science n various directions, England was well erred indeed in the matter of scienific research. Tt is passing strange lint the spirit aroused at that period ,as not maintained, and that the counry is not continuing to enjoy the mits of the more prolonged labors of hose times. It. seems to l’e rather reflection on English methods that he. country should lag behind for so

long. With the swiftly moving times now passing' there is the call for more attention and application to scientific research in all countries, and throughout the British Empire in particular application in that direction should be a common work to which the authorities should apply themselves. Now Zealand might well associate Itself earnestly in a like direction for the ultimate public good.