ALICE IN SCIENCELAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1930, Page 2

ALICE IN SCIENCELAND.

HAlicp in Wonderland was able by ieaiiijg H ; cake .or drfiikiiig from a bottle or; nibbling one -side or other of a ihtuS|ii't)om v to .increase or diminish her 'statifre at will; As Sir Edward Shar- ' remarked, it might be jlhought that nothing could be more fantastic or more improbable. And dhee again fact has proved even strangef than fiction. The functions of the endocrine glands are only now in process of being discovered, and they are found to be as fascinating in; their wav as anything invented by the fertile imagination of Lewis Carroll. This is one of the romances of science“ The Scotsman. ’ !

MILLIONS. STILL SPENT ON ARMS. During the six years 1923-28 over £57,090,000 worth of arms and munitions were exported from the armsrnuniifacturing countries of the world. Of these (says the new “Year Book of the Trade in Arms,” published by te League of Nations) Britain is by far the largest exporter. British experts for the six years totalled over £J0,(X)0,00(1—34 per cent, of the total; bvit of this total over a half went to British colonies and dominions. The next largest exporters were; United Stiftes with 18.2 per cent, of the total; France, with 14.8 per cent.; Italy, with 5.8 per cent, PROSPEROUS RADIO. ' “There is at least one exception to the depression that overspreads industry in these days. The report of the 8.8. C. shows that, whatever disquiets there may be in regard to other activities. the business of broadcasting is prospering beyond all expectation,” savs Mr A. G. Gardiner, in the “Star,” of London. “It is the most revolutionary, thing that has happened in the ntodern world,’’ adds Mr Gardiner. “It is as though by a wave of a fairy’s wapd the loneliest may hold audience of the whole earth and feel the pulse of the universal life, in bedroom, or .kitchen. 1 We touch a. gadget and the dumb sky rains down music and song, dance and speech.” SUPREME TRUTH OF HUMANITY. ' “The limited boundaries of a race or a country within which the supreme truth of humanity has been more or less! realised in the past are crossed tp-flay from the outside. The countries are physicially brought closer to each other by science. But science htpi not hrought with it the light that helps understanding. On the contrary, science on its practical side has raised obstacles among them against the development of a sympathetic hnpwledge. But I am not foolish chough to condemn science as materialistic, No truth can be that. Science means intellectual probity in our knowledge and dealings with the physical world, and such conscientiousness has a spiritual quality that encourages sacrifice and martyrdom. But in science the oft-used half-truth that hbnbsty is the best policy is complete, ly made true, and our mind’s honestly is this field never fails to bring us the best profit for our living, Mischief fipds its entry through the back-door of utility, tempting the primitive in man. arousing his evil passions.”—Rabindrinath Tagore.

“THE AUTHORITY OF THE BATTLEFIELD. “'The time is past when the authority of the battlefield was necessary for justifying oneself. It had its attrftcions so long as it was based on courage. But now that . soldiers, sportsmen and explorers, with the herpic figure of in their company, have taken up their stand against war, all social and political questions have been transferred to the field of negotiation. By negotiation, a United Europe will arise, which will come to an understanding with Russia, insofar •as Russia, in her contest with Europe, is still dependent on the latter for gold and machines. If not by new ideas, it will in any ease he by new .means that Europe will be reconstructed. The war game has been played out.”--'Emil Ludwig., an eminent German writer and publicist, in the London “Spectator.” BANKERS LOOK AT EMPIRE TRADE. “It is resolved that urgent measures for the promotion of inter-imperial trade are needed to secure and extend the market for British products both at home and through the export trade. Bitter experience has taught Great Britain that the hopes expressed. four .veal's ago in a. plea for the removal of the restrictions upon European trade have failed to be realised. The restrictions have been materially increased, and the sales of surplus foreign products in the British market have steadily grown. While we retain the hope of an ultimate extension of the area of free trade throughout the world we believe that the immediate step for securing and extending the market for British goods lies in reciprocal trade agreements between the nations constituting the British Empire. As a condition of securing these agreements Great Britain must retain her open market for all Empire products, while being prepared to impose duties on all imports from all other countries.”—Resolution adopted at a recent important meeting of British bankers.