SCIENCE & WELFARE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 October 1941, Page 5

SCIENCE & WELFARE

COMMENT ON CONFERENCE CONCERN WITH CONSUMER. NEED OF RAISING STANDARDS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 29. Press comments on the significance of the London conference of international scientists, held under the auspices of the British Association, point out that not only is it evidence that free scientific discussion is still possible between men of many nations on vital human problems, but also it has revealed beyond a shadow of doubt the close relationship between science and everyday life. The scientist working for the love of truth in monastic seclusion is a traditional picture which must be modified to the needs of humanity. At the same time the ordinary man must look upon the scientist as a friend and guide and not as an aloof worker on abstract problems in incomprehensible terms.

“The Times” says: “Science, to fulfil its human mission, will have to concern itself in the future as much with the consumer as the producer. This implies to some extent a reversal of past attitude. But the whole conception of the needs and wants of the consumer as a starting point of the programme of reconstruction owes much to those who in recent years have worked out, specially in the field of nutrition, standards recognised as the necessary minimum for human wellbeing and shown how far the existing standards, even in advanced countries, fall below them.

“Recognition of such standards was rightly described by Mr Herbert Morrison as ‘a new social and political factor of the first importance.’ It has aroused the social consciences of d,ll classes and has established the principle accepted by all parties as an obligation overriding selfish or sectional interests.”

“The Times” adds a warning that science can be made to serve evil ends as well as good, and that the ultimate test of its value lies in the moral quality of the human purpose directing it.