10 Oct., 1917.] Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science, S-c. 625 



COMMONWEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL OF SCIENCE 



AND INDUSTRY. 



ABSTRACT OF REPORT BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 



The E.NOi'utive ronuuiitoe of the Commonwealtli .\<lvisory Council 

 of Science and Industry has issued a i-eport covering the progress of its 

 work since the ihite of appointment of the Committee (14th April, 1916) 

 to the 30th June, 1917. The report is divided into eight parts, dealing 

 respectively with — 1. Inti-oductory matters; 2. The policy and general 

 nature of the work of tlie Executive; 3. The collection of information; 

 4. Investigational work; 5. The Bureau of Information; 6. The State 

 Committees; 7. Einance; and 8. Conclusion. The Advisory Council is a 

 temporary hody estahlislied for the purpo.se of preparing the way for 

 the proposed permanent Institute of Science and Industry. It consists 

 of 35 menihers, representing science and industry in all the States, in 

 each of which there is a State Committee. 



A large amount of information has been collected, for the use of 

 the Executive and State Committees and of the proposed permanent 

 Institute of Science and Industry, regarding Australian industries, their 

 distribution, technical and scientific problems connected with them, the 

 equipment and personnel of laboratories available for industrial scien- 

 tific research work in all its branches, research work in actual progress 

 in laboratories, experimental work in progress at Government experi- 

 mental farms, and the facilities available for (he training of scientific 

 investigators. The results of these inquiries have been analyzed and 

 summarized in tabular form as far as practicable, and the information 

 thus gained will largely form the basis for the activities of the future 

 institute. One of the first conditions essential to the success of the move- 

 ment for the application of science to industry is a largely increased 

 supply of competent research men, and the report emphasizes the neces- 

 sity for more adequate provision in tliis direction. 



A consideralile amount has been done by the Executive in establish- 

 ing relations with other interested authorities, including State Govern- 

 ments, scientific and technical departments, universities, technical col- 

 leges, scientific societies, and associations representing the pastoral, agri- 

 cultural, manufacturing, and other industries. As regards the initiation 

 of researches, no fewer than twenty Special Committees have already 

 been appointed. These Committees consist of experts representing both 

 the industrial and the scientific sides. In many cases, salaried in- 

 vestigators have been appointed to carry on the research work under the 

 general supervision of the respective Special Committees. Much benefit 

 has been derived from the combination of the industrial and scientific 

 points of view on these Committees. In order to carry on the research 

 work, the co-ojicration of laboratories already in existence has been 

 secured. 



A considerable part of the report is devoted to the results of the 

 investigational work carried out. As regards the agricultural and 

 pa?toral industries, special attention has been given to the control and 

 eradication of pests and diseases of stock and crops. The loss caused, 

 directly and indirectly, by the attacks of pests, parasites, and organisms 



