{PRE8IDENTJAL ADDRESS) 



FACTORS IX VAHIATION. 



Bv Heber a. Longman, F.L.S., F. R.A.I. 



(Read before the Royal Society of Queensland, "^Ist March, 



1920) 



Introduction. 

 In his inaugural address in January, 1884, our first 

 President, the late Hon A. C. Gregory, referred to the field 

 of inv^estigation by this Society as being " Natural Science 

 and its practical application." That idea! of tliirty-six 

 years ago bears a far wider interpretation to day. In an 

 •official pronouncement as Secretar}' of State for the Colonies, 

 Lord Milner has clearly pointed out that " there is scarcely 

 any industry wluch can develop or even maintain its position 

 without the aid of scientific research.''* He mentions 

 the '■ liberal grant "' provided by the British Government 

 ±o be expended in stimulating scientific research overseas, 

 .and g'ves h'S opinion that the " greatest possible impor- 

 tance " is attached to this question. Lord Milners words 

 are to be welcomed as a sign of the times, and we believe 

 that they will be sj^mpathetically endorsed by Australian 

 statesmen. The recognition of the great value of scientific 

 work has been too tardy, for, as Huxley pointed out long 

 Ago, science has been the world's Cinderella, working mostly 

 ■out of sight. With the recognition of the need for wide 

 •encouragement of scientific work, and the endowment of 

 research, emphasised by the war, it is sincerely to be hoped 

 that there will be a growth of the best scientific spirit : 

 that is, of undev^ating allegiance to truth and a sense of 

 fair play, for these ideals are of even greater value than 

 thoee of material importance. 



So far as this Society is concerned our activities are 

 outlined in the report of your Council and need not be 

 detailed here. 



♦ Science and Industry," Nov., 1919. p 403 



