I 



presidi-:ntial address — section a. 19 



Advisory Council for the (Jrganisation and Development of 

 Scientific and Industrial Research, the need for which was thus 

 expressed : — 



"It api)ears incontrovertible that, if wc are to advance or 

 even maintain our industrial position, we must as a nation aim 

 at such a development of scientific and industrial research as 

 will place us in a position to expand and strengthen our indus- 

 tries and to compete successfully with the most highly organised 

 of om- rivals." 



We, in South Africa, can lay no claim to l)e regarded as an 

 industrial nation in the ordinary sense, apart from mining. But 

 our mineral wealth is being exploited, mostly in the interests of 

 shareholders residing in Evu^ope, and no concerted efforts have 

 so far been made to replace the wasting assets of the country. 

 We take no thought of the morrow. As Professor Armstrong 

 has recently said : " We care little, it is true for our ancestors ; if 

 possible, less for posterity ; yet, there is a S])irit of altruism grow- 

 ing up gradually which is more or less leading us to think that 

 we must take effective steps to check the thoughtless squander- 

 ing of natural resources, which has been a dominant character- 

 istic of civilisation of late years." 



One much welcome the steps initiated last month by the 

 Council of the S.x'\. Institution of Engineers, which, in pursuance 

 of a resolution recently ])assed by it, zns., " There is a strong 

 consensus of opinion among persons engaged both in science 

 and industry, that a special need exists, at the present time, for 

 means and for State assistance, in order to promote and organise 

 scientific research, with a view especially to its applications to 

 trade and industry," called a large and enthusiastic meeting of 

 members of the Councils of the various scientific and technical 

 societies, including this Association, at which the following reso- 

 lution was passed unanimously :- — 



" The members present represent themselves as bound to com- 

 bine in taking such steps as may be in their power to hasten the 

 scientific development of the resources of South Africa, especiallv 

 in view of the coming commercial and industrial competition, 

 and the obligations of this country to do its share in providing 

 suitably for the present and future needs of the men wno are 

 fighting its battles or who are disabled thereby, as well as the 

 needs of their dependents, and the dependents of those who have 

 given their lives in defending the honour of the British nation." 



The following were declared to be the objects of the move- 

 ment : — 



1. To get in touch with the British Council of Scientific and 

 Industrial Research, and similar Committees in other British 

 Dominions. 



2. To enlist the support and co-operation of the Govern- 

 ment of the Union of South Africa and Rhodesia in the move- 

 ment, as a step tow^ards securing State aid. 



3. To establish in South Africa a comprehensive industrial 



