ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

Southland Times, Issue 20080, 18 January 1927, Page 2

ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

HOW SCIENCE CAN HELP. LORD BALFOUR’S VIEWS. The way in which science can assist in the solution of the Empire economic problems is stated by Lord Balfour in his introduction to the report which the special Research Sub-Committee presented to the Imperial Conference for its consideration. This report places in its true light the importance of a Scientific and industrial Research Council, such as has been recently formed in the Dominion. “The material well-being of mankind may be diminished by many causes—e.g., international wars, domestic disorder, industrial disputes—but (if individual effort remain on the average unchanged) there are only two causes which can increase it—namely, better natural sources of supply and better methods of turning these sources to account. If we are to rely (as we increasingly must) on the record of these causes of economic progress, it is to applied science that we must turn for aid.” After stating that this was essentially a question for the Imperial Conference to discuss, Lord Balfour goes on to say: “What can such discussions really accomplish? Doubtless the relations between science, industry, and departmental administration are far from easy; but would they not become wholly impossible if even the faintest attempt were made to improve them through any form of Imperial control? They certainly would; and it is not in this direction that better co-operation is to be looked for. “Again, can we suppose that either money or organisation can increase the supply of original scientific genius, or direct it, when found, into utilitarian channels? It is plainly impossible. Genius cannot be made to order or discovered by rule. The best we can do is to provide fitting opportunities for its exercise when we are fortunate enough to find it.” Lord Balfour then sketches four stages into which we may ideally divide the reactions of science on particular industries. “They begin,” he says, “with the fundamental discoveries in pure science on which all subsequent progress depends. These have commonly been made with no thought of any useful application, and are due to a love of knowledge alone. The second stage is reached when it occurs to some man of science that these fundamental discoveries may be employed in the solution of a practical problem which has been engaging his attention.

“The third stage (which is closely associated with the second) consists in exploring the full significance and value of this conjecture by means of small scale experiments while the fourth consist in the application of the knowledge thus obtained to the business of economic production.” Organised research is chiefly concerned with the two middle processes, the aim being to shorten and cheapen the passage which separates pure scientific theory from pure industrial practice. In different parts of the Empire a large and increasing number of institutions are devoted to the purpose and the work they are doing individually is admirable. But to prevent waste of resources and intellectual energy they must work in harmony and co-operation, and only thus will they be of maximum benefit to the Empire.