SCIENCE CONGRESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 221, 12 January 1911, Page 5

SCIENCE CONGRESS

ANTARCTICA FOR AUSTRALIA. BR. JtfAWSON'S PLANS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received. 11, 9.15 p.m. Sydney, January 11. At the Science Congress Dr. Mawson read a paper on Antarctica. After reviewing the work of Antarctic explorers, he dealt with his own proposed expedition. He declared that Australians were just as well able to bear the rigorous conditions of the high latitude as those born there. If ever an Australian expedition was to start under the most favorable circumstances, with a future so well assured, it must be immediately. If there was any delay, a foreign nation would slip in, and the most valuable portion of Antarctica would be lost for ever from the control of Australia. The expedition would stimulate a spirit of maritime enterprise, which was an indispensable element of national greatness. He would be fully prepared to start in November. His work would take seventeen months, or one winter and two summers, possibly two winters and three summers. The estimated cost was £40,000, and he appealed to wealthy Australians to assist. He asked, Could scientific societies remain content to allow distant countries to poach on their inherited preserves? Could Australians remain heedless of this land of great potentialities, lying at their doors?

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. Received 11, 9.15 p.m. Sydney, January 11. Professor Potts, principal of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College, read a paper on the necessity for education in agriculture, and urged the value of a connecting link between the public schools and agricultural colleges, and winter schools for farmers.

Professor Bavin, of Sydney, contributed a paper on the Federal system of government, and concluded that notwithstanding its imperfections, the federation, with all its weaknesses, was infinitely preferable to separation and independence of the States, which were capable of some degree of union. Professor Marshall, of New Zealand, contributed an interesting paper on the geology of the Cook and Society Islands. Mr. E. Adams, of New Zealand, read a paper on tidal observations, predictions and control of the Wellington tide gauge. Many other papers, of purely scientific or local interest, were discussed by the various sections.

INDUSTRIAL CONCILIATION. THE COMPULSORY PRINCIPLE. Received 11, 11.15 p.m. Sydney, January 11. Mr. H. Braddon read a paper on the compulsory principle in the settlement of industrial disputes. lie reviewed the effect of the principle in Xew Zealand and Australia. As far as Australia was concerned, the Arbitration Acts had resulted in repressing sweating and materially benefiting the conditions of employees, but it was unfortunate that the Acts also tended to embitter the relations be- , tween employers and employees. As a means of preventing strikes, the Wages t Boards were greatly preferable to the Arbitration Court, but even the Wages Board was not likely to be of much use in that direction in periods of declining prosperity, and when the awards were adverse to the men.