president's address. 17 



to the community. Surel}^ it cannot be true that the years of 

 observation and experiment have made our members useless to 

 the Department of Defence. I am aware that the habit of 

 casting ridicule upon Dr. Dry-as-dust existed in the past. I 

 know that it is still common to hear jokes at the expense of the 

 naturalist, but I thought that those raised to authority were 

 acquainted with the fact that science can play a part in every 

 phase of work in Australia in connection with the War. Some have 

 affirmed that the recognition of the importance of Science will 

 be one of the permanent benefits conferred on our nation by the 

 war. It is perhaps difficult to imagine any benefit given us b}^ 

 the war, which has caused such unspeakable misery and sorrow, 

 yet we can understand the statement. Whether there is any 

 greater use of Science made in Europe, I cannot say from personal 

 knowledge, but-I can remind you that there are few evidences in 

 this country of a much greater employment of those possessed of 

 scientific training. It is true that the Federal Government is 

 using the services o'ratis of a small number of scientists who 

 devote the time that is not taken up with other duties to some 

 investigation. The Council of Science and Industry supplies some 

 money towards the cost of this research work. This is a step in 

 the right direction, but that is all. When we sa}^ that greater 

 use should be made of Science, we do not mean that some par- 

 ticular method should be employed, but that every problem 

 should be studied by the means adequate to give the solution. 

 In connection vvith the war, we find much evidence of the failure 

 to use scientific methods. The whole number of those who have 

 spent time and trouble in acquiring knowledge of Nature is a 

 very small fraction of the population. Even this small number 

 has little to do. It has been said that it looks as if our 

 authorities regarded scientific training as a disqualification rather 

 than as a qualification. I do not suppose that there is any desire 

 not to use the experience and learning of scientists, but I do 

 think that the majority of our community are quite unaware of 

 the scope and character of scientific knowledge. The scientist 

 cannot replace the practical man who is managing a business or 

 dealing with some particular problem, but he can supply informa- 



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