Notes and Comments. 315 
meeting in Australia, in August 1914, ‘the war cloud had only 
just burst, and thus the distinguished economist who occupied 
the Presidential Chair of this Section could deal freely with 
the normal economic problems of old and young communities, 
disregarding the new and disastrous problems resulting from 
a great world war. ‘Last year, however, my predecessor was 
compelled to take account of the critical events of the preceding 
twelve months. The war which so many presumably well- ° 
informed people expected to be over in less than a vear is still 
with us, and the economic difficulties have increased in number 
and intensity. It is true that one of our statesmen has declared 
that the war may end sooner than some ot us think—a not 
very hopeful utterance, but still I fee! warranted from various 
signs in dealing in this address rather with the period of 
reconstruction after the war than with the existing situation, 
for, owing to kaleidoscopic changes, what is written as toe 
present conditions in August will probably be quite out of date 
by September, whilst the work of reconstruction may Jast for 
the best part of a century, and continue to affect the well-being 
of the community throughout succeeding histery.’ 
ENGINEERING SECTION. 
The same tone is to be found in Mr. Gerald Stoney’s address 
to the Engineering Section. He points out that “© At such times 
as these, the mind naturally turns to problems to be considered 
both at the present time and after the war, and in considering 
such problems a review of some of the errors committed in the 
past is most necessary. The general complaint is that Univer- 
sity and College men are too theoretical and not practical. It 
is the usual thing for a bad workman to blame his tools, and is 
it not because employers do not know how to make use of such 
labour that they ultilise it to such a small and imperfect extent ? 
Things are very different in some other countries with which 
we have competed in the past, and with which there will be 
in all probability still fiercer competition in the future. There 
we find the fullest use made of highly educated scientific labour. 
SCIENCE AND SALARIES. 
How many engineering firms in this district have a skilled 
chemist on their staff, and what percentage of these pay him 
a decent salary ? And how many heads of firms have sufficient 
chemical knowledge to appreciate the work of and utilise the 
services of such a man because, unless there is appreciation of 
the work done by such a man his: services are useless and he 
becomes discouraged, generally finding himself up against the 
blank stone wall of there being no appreciation of his services, 
and yet chemical problems are continually cropping up in 
engineering work. There is the question of the supply of 
materials ; as a rule, the manufacturer trusts to the name of 
1916 Oct. 1. 

