26 EEPORT — 1903. 



Here is a distinct challenge to Britain. Judging by experience in 

 this country, in spite of the magnificent endowment of research by Mond 

 and Lord Iveagh, the only source of possible competition in the British 

 interest is the State, which certainly could not put the iy8,000th part 

 of the accumulated wealth of the country to better use ; for without such 

 help both our Universities and our battleships will become of rapidly 

 dwindling importance. 



It is on this ground that I have included the importance of endowing 

 research among the chief points to which I have been anxious to draw 

 your attention. 



The Need of a Scientific National Council. 



In referring to the new struggle for existence among civilised com- 

 munities I pointed out that the solution of a large number of scientific 

 problems is now daily required for the State service, and that in this and 

 other ways the source and standard of national efficiency have been 

 greatly changed. 



Much evidence bearing upon the amount of scientific knowledge 

 required for the proper administration of the public departments, and the 

 amount of scientific work done by and for the nation, was brought before 

 the Royal Commission on Science presided over by the late Duke of 

 Devonshire now more than a quarter of a century ago. 



The Commission unanimously recommended that the State should be 

 aided by a scientific council in facing the new problems constantly 

 arising. 



But while the home Government has apparently made up its mind to 

 neglect the advice so seriously given, it should be a source of gratification 

 to us all to know that the application of the resources of modern science 

 to the economic, industrial, and agricultural development of India has for 

 many years engaged the earnest attention of the Government of that 

 country. The Famine Commissioners of 1878 laid much stress on the 

 institution of scientific inquiry and experiment designed to lead to the 

 gradual increase of the food -supply and to the greater stability of agri- 

 cultural outturn, while the experience of recent years has indicated the 

 increasing importance of the study of the economic products and mineral- 

 bearing tracts. 



Lord Curzon has recently ordered the heads of the various scientific 

 departments to form a board, which shall meet twice annually, to begin 

 with, to formulate a programme and to review past work. The board is 

 also to act as an advisory committee to the Government,^ providing 

 among other matters for the proper co-ordination of all matters of scientific 

 inquiry affecting India's welfare. 



Lord Curzon is to be warmly congratulated upon the step he has 

 taken, which is certain to bring benefit to our great Dependency, 



> Nature^ September 4, 1902, 



