SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1930, Page 7

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

VALUE OF CO-OPERATION

CARNEGIE INSTITUTION’S AVORK

Mr Five born Johnston, who was to have taken command of the Carnegie Institution’s magnetic survey vessel, the Carnegie, which was burnt in Apia Harbour, does not think that the vessel will be replaced, as it is not required at present for the special purposes for which, it was built, Mr Johnston, who is visiting Christchurch, stated that the possibilities of magnetic work over the oceans have been practically exhausted ior two or tnroe decades, but at the end of twen-ty-live or thirty years it would be necessary probably to begin a new magnetic survey to determine the annual changes in the magnetic elements. The Carnegie institution workers were interested principally in magnetism, atmospheric alectricitv, and earth currents; but, on the cruise of the Carnegie that began two years ago, scientific and graphic data were obtained iiraddition to the main work. The Carnegie institution was able to co-operate with the other institutions, such as the Samoan Observatory and it honed to co-operate also with the Councils for Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand and Australia in making atmospheric electrical observations.

The scientific world had reached a stage when a single investigator could not hope to examine problems of primary importance. It was necessary for several men to work together and make combined attacks. In other words, team-work was the order of the day. In that way, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Australia had attacked the problem of the prickly-pear in Queensland and had discovered an absolute -solution that would save millions of acres for produce lion. The New Zealand Council was working on the same principle.

It was hoped with friendly advice and co-ooeration, to advance the cause of science, not only pure science, but a'so science that would benefit mankind in a practical way.