BRITISH SCIENTISTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 212, 27 January 1913, Page 6

BRITISH SCIENTISTS.

TO VISIT XEW ZEALAXD. Wellington. Friday, 'hiring their visit to the re- ( «i ::t congress at Melbourne of the Asy i-iatiou for the Advancement of Science,, ''rofcssor Litby, Professor Kirk and Mr. Hamilton were authorised on behalf of the Prime Minister and the Hon. IT. D. Pell to endeavor to make favorable arrangements for the visit of members of the British Association to New Zealand in 1014, at the close of the sittings of the Congress in Australia. Interviewed this evening, Professor Liby, who returned from the Australian Congress on Wednesday, said that as previously announced in 1011, the Xew Zealand Government granted £2OOO to enable some of the members of the British Association to extend their visit from Australia to Xew Zealand, but a number of difficulties had to be surmounted so that such a proposal could be carried out. In the first place, the members of the Association were the guests of the Commonwealth Government, and were visiting Australia at that Government's special request, the expenses being defrayed by a grant of £15,000. Further, the visit to Australia was of a very extended nature, as the British Association was to hold meetings in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and i "Brisbane. In these circumstances any arrangements made to allow the scientists to come to Xew Zealand must be such that they would not detract! from the success of the tour in Australia, and at the same time it was clear that a tour which, including the above, places and Xew Zealand, would be a very exhalisting one to members of the British Association. The promoters of the visit to Xew Zealand decided to endeavor to make the Congress a success by not depending wholly on English visitors, and suggested to the Government that some Canadian and American scientists should also come to Xew Zealand. The success of this meeting, which it is proposed to hold in New Zealand in 1014. was made possible, even if the number of English scientists was not very large. The Hon. H. D. Bell had empowered Professor Kirk and Professor Laby to make provisional arrangements with the Commonwealth Government regarding a visit to Xew Zealand of some of the members of the British Association. These gentlemen met the Commonwealth Premier (Ron. A. Fisher) and Messrs Pearce and Thomas, and they I very generously agreed to support the invitation from the Xew Zealand Government to 25 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 the meeting of the council in charge of the Australian arrangements: —"That the British Association be invited to nominate 25 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 the understanding that the Government of Xew- Zealand will pay £3O towards the 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 favorable consideration. The Commonwealth Government received most courteously the suggestions of the New Zealand representatives, and they felt that they could ask for such arrangements, as it was known that the possibility of visiting New Zealand would be 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 only 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. 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 leaves London by direct steamer on July 3, 1914, and arrive at Adelaide on August 8 (the advance party visiting Western Australia for one week). They then visit Melbourne and Sydney; and conclude there on August 27. The party visiting New Zealand will then depart for the Dominion, while the remainder proceed to Brisbane. Presidential addresses, meetings of the vari-' ous sections, lectures, receptions and excursions will be held in the Australian cities visited. The Commonwealth Government had appointed Mr. A. C. P. Rivett, 8.A., B.Sc, lecturer in chemistry in the Melbourne University, and formerly a Rhodes scholar, as organising secretary, and he will proceed to Eng°land shortly to make certain that the arrangements in every detail are carried out. 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 favorably consider the inclusion of twenty eminent foreign scientists amongst the visitors. It was found that the arranagements for the reception | of the scientists were very advanced in Australia, and during the congress in Melbourne an illustration was given of the need for very carefully thought-out arrangements. Professor Baldwin SpenI cer gave a lecture in the Town Hall regarding his tour in the Northern Terrii tory, which he had just completed. The gathering was so large that the Govern-or-General found some difficulty in gaining admission, and a number of ticketholders could not get in. In these circumstances every effort would have to he made to make adequate provision. The British Association had asked that the proposed arrangements be placed before it when it meets in Birmingham in September.