BRITISH SCIENTISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8338, 25 January 1913, Page 6

BRITISH SCIENTISTS

CONGRESS OF 1914 PROPOSED VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND. ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE COMMONWEALTH. During tneir visit to tho recent congress at Melbourne of the Association tor the Advancement of Science, Professor Laby, Professor Kirk, and Mr A. Hamilton were authorised on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs, to endeavour to make favourable arrangements for a visit of members of tho British Association to Now Zealand in 1914 at the close of the sittings of the congress in Australia. Interviewed last evening by a “ New Zealand Times ” representative. Professor Laby, who returned from tho Australian Congress on Wednesday last, said that sis previously announced in 1911 tho New Zealand Government granted £2OOO to enable some of the members of tho British Association to extend their visit 1 from Australia to New Zealand, but a number of difficulties had to be surmounted so that such a proposal oould bo carried out. In tho first place tho members of the British Association wore the guests of the Commonwealth Government, and were visiting Australia at that Government’s special request, tho expenses being defrayed by a grant of £15,000. Further, the visit to Australia was of a very extended nature, as tho British Association was to hold mootings in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. In these circumstances any arrangements made to allow tho scientists to come to New Zealand must be such that they would not detract from tho success of the tour in Australia, and at the same time it was clear tho tour, which, included the above-mentioned places and Now Zealand, would be a very exhausting one to the members of the’British Association. Tho promoters of the visit to New 'Zealand decided to endeavour to make the congress a success by not depending wholly on the English visitors, and suggested to the Government that some Canadian and American scientists should also come to New Zealand. The success of this meeting, which it is proposed to hold in New Zealand in 1914, was made possible even if tho number of English scientists was not very large. Hon. H. D. Bell empowered Professor Kirk and Professor Laby to make provisional arrangements with the Commonwealth Government regarding a visit to New Zealand of some of the members of the British Association. These gentlemen met the Commonwealth Premier (Hon. A. Fisher) and Messrs Pearce and Thomas, and they very generously agreed to support the invitation from the New Zealand Government to twenty-five members of the British Association to extend their visit to New Zealand. This arrangement was expressed in the following resolution which was proposed by the New Zealand representatives at a meeting of tho council in charge of the Australian arrangements: “That the British Association ho invited to nominate twenty-five members of the official party visiting Australia to extend their tour to New Zealand and to act as officers there after the completion of the Sydney meeting on tho understanding that the Government of New Zealand will pay £3O towards tho expenses of each of these members (£750 in all) and that they fulfil scientific duties in New Zealand.” This resolution was forwarded to the executive for favourable consideration. The Commonwealth Government received most courteously tho suggestions of the Now Zealand representatives, and they felt that they could ask for such arrangements as it was known that the possibility of visiting New Zealand would bo a great inducement to English scientists. It would thus increase the attractiveness of the tour and add to the success of the whole (meeting.. These arrangements were provisional, and’ were subject to official ’ approval in Australia and New Zealand.

At the council meeting above mentioned there were present representatives from all the States in Australia and also from New Zealand, and they came from places as far apart as Wellington and Perth, which is an indication of the interest taken in the arrangements for the tour of the British Association in 1914. The Australian arrangements were as follows:—The main party leave London by direct steamer on July 3rd, 1914, and arrive at Adelaide on August Bth (the advance party visiting Western Australia for one week). They then visit Melbourne and Sydney and conclude there on August 27th. The party visiting New Zealand will then depart for the Dominion, while the remainder will proceed to Brisbane. Presidential addresses, meetings of the various sections, lectures, receptions and excursions will be held in the Australian cities visited. The Commonwealth Government had appointed Mr A. C. D. Rivettj 8.A., 8.50., lecturer in chemistry in the Melbourne University, and formerly a Rhodes scholar, as organising secretary, and ho proceeds tb England shortly to make certain that the arrangements in every detail are cared for. The Commonwealth Government has set aside £IOOO for the expenses of this portion of the arrangements. It was decided to ask the British Association to favourably consider the inclusion of twenty eminent foreign scientists amongst the vistors. It was found that the arrangements for the reception of the scientists were very advanced in Australia, and during the congress in Melbourne an ilInstraton was given of the need for very carefully thought-out arrangements. Professor Baldwin Spencer gave a lecture in the Town Hall regarding his tour to the Northern Territory which he had just completed. The gathering was so large that the Governor-General found some difficulty in gaining admission, and a number of tickeUholders could not get in, though the hall is very large. In these circumstances every effort would have to bo made to make adequate provision. The British Association had asked that the proposed arrangements bo placed before it when it meets in Birmingham in September.