122 Transactions of the Royal Canadian Institute 



I would first however call to your attention the tendency toward a 

 somewhat different orientation of the relations of government to scien- 

 tific research in the two countries that are most intimately related in 

 blood and institutions to Canada, namely Great Britain and the United 

 States. 



The relations of the British Government to research are set forth with 

 great completeness in the annual reports of the Com.mittee of the Privy 

 Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and are ably summarized 

 by Sir Frank Heath in an address before the Society of Arts on "The 

 Government and the Organization of Scientific Research.^ The cardinal 

 principles which have guided the development of this trust are set forth 

 in Privy Council Committee's Report of 1918-19 and will bear repeating: 



"We believe, in the first place, that while it is possible for the State 

 by means of suitable grants to individuals or the generous support of 

 universities and other independent institutions for research to encourage 

 the pursuit of research in pure science, it is dangerous and even fatal to 

 attempt to organize it. Research of this nature has no other aim than 

 the creation of new knowledge and is impatient of the control which is 

 inseparable from the idea of external organisation. On the other hand, 

 it is necessary for the modem State to organize research, including those 

 simpler types of research which we may call investigation, into problems 

 which directly affect the well-being of large sections of its people. Such 

 researches and investigation, deal either with applied science or if they 

 are conducted in the realm of pure science are undertaken with a specific 

 end in view. ..." 



"But, in the second place, if the organization of research for public 

 purposes is to be effective and economical it is necessary to arrange for a 

 central clearing house which will be cognizant of the general lines of 

 research undertaken by different Departments of Government, and a 

 central body connected therewith capable of undertaking or organizing 

 research which it is agreed can best be conducted by one agency in the 

 interests of all." 



"In the third place, it is dangerous and even fatal under peace con- 

 ditions for the State to attempt to conduct researches and investigations 

 for the immediate benefit of industries which are not under State manage- 

 ment. Industrial research is as integral a part of production or distribu- 

 tion as advertisement or insurance. But this does not preclude the State 

 from encouraging the organization of research within an industry by 

 means of grants-in-aid made under suitable conditions, or even by means 

 of preliminary demonstrations of the valuable results which a well- 

 conducted research may be expected to secure." 

 * Sir Frank Heath, Jl. Roy. Soc. Arts, February 21, 1919. 



