August 25, 1916] 



SCIENCE 



267 



is of opinion that the present European crisis 

 affords a unique opportunity for impressing 

 upon all who are engaged in the executive 

 functions of government, as well as upon those 

 who are concerned with industry and com- 

 merce, the paramount importance of scientific 

 method and research in national affairs. 



There has been much discussion upon these 

 matters, and the following conclusions are 

 submitted by the Guild as representing au- 

 thoritative opinion: 



A. The material prosperity of the civilized 

 world during the past century is mainly due 

 to the application of science to practical ends. 



B. While we stand high among all nations 

 in capacity for original research, as repre- 

 sented by the output of our scientific workers, 

 this capacity has been comparatively little 

 utilized in British industry. 



C. The state has neglected to encourage 

 and facilitate scientific investigation, or to 

 promote that cooperation between science and 

 industry which is essential to national develop- 

 ment. 



D. Modern conditions of existence demand 

 that instruction in science, and training in 

 scientific method, should be a fundamental 

 part of education. 



E. The present control of all stages of edu- 

 cational work, from the primary school to the 

 university, mostly by men who have an inade- 

 quate appreciation of the meaning and power 

 of science, is largely responsible for the un- 

 satisfactory preparation commonly provided 

 for the work of life. 



Since its foundation the British Science 

 Guild has urged that, in the interests of na- 

 tional welfare, serious attention should be 

 given to these defects, and steps taken to rem- 

 edy them. The establishment of the scheme 

 for the development of scientific and indus- 

 trial research, under a committee of the Privy 

 Council, is a welcome recognition of the inti- 

 mate relations between scientific investiga- 

 tion and industrial advance; and the advisory 

 council which advises the committee as to the 

 expenditure of the sums provided by Parlia- 

 ment, amounting for the year 1916-17 to £40,- 

 000, has already been responsible for the in- 

 stitution of researches which should lead to 

 most valuable industrial results. The outlook 

 of the council may, however, be extended 

 profitably in several directions; for it should 

 be even more comprehensive than that of the 

 development commission, which provides for 



the development of rural industries, among 

 other matters. This commission, with the 

 Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and the 

 Imperial Institute, which has recently been 

 transferred from the Board of Trade to the 

 Colonial Office, is not concerned directly with 

 manufacturing industries, upon which so 

 large a part of the nation's prosperity depends. 



The field of the Privy Council committee 

 and its advisory council is thus distinct from 

 that of any existing state department; and it 

 should embrace all progressive industry and 

 science. It is suggested that a board or min- 

 istry is necessary to discharge the functions 

 indicated in Clause I. of the recommendations 

 subjoined, in such a way as to fulfil modern 

 requirements. 



I. A national statutory board of science and 

 industry, the permanent staff of which should 

 consist mainly of persons of wide scientific 

 knowledge and business experience, should be 

 established to : 



1. Promote the coordination of industrial 

 effort. 



2. Secure cooperation between manufactur- 

 ers and all available laboratories of research. 



3. Coordinate, and be the executive center 

 of such joint scientific committees as have 

 been formed by the Eoyal Society, the Chem- 

 ical Society and various trade and educational 

 associations. 



4. Undertake inquiries as to products and 

 materials, and generally to serve as a national 

 bureau of scientific and industrial intelligence. 



5. Collect and publish information of a sci- 

 entific and technical character; and provide 

 so far as possible for the solution of important 

 problems bearing upon industry. 



6. Institute a number of paid advisory com- 

 mittees consisting of men of wide scientific 

 knowledge assisted by expert investigators and 

 technologists who should receive reasonable 

 fees for their services. 



7. Organize scientific effort on the manu- 

 facturing side and in commercial relations 

 with other countries. 



8. Arrange measures for the mobilization of 

 the scientific, industrial and educational ac- 

 tivities of the nation so as to ensure ready re- 

 sponse to national needs and emergencies. 



9. Encourage investigation, and, where nec- 

 essary, give financial aid towards the synthesis 

 and artificial production of natural products 

 and for other researches. 



