9 
1916-17.] Opening Address by the President. 
United States has also realised the necessity of immediate action as regards 
this question. A National Research Council has been set up to encourage 
the increased use of scientific research in the development of American 
industries, to bring into co-operation the existing research organisations, 
and to employ scientific methods in strengthening the national defence. 
The scheme is cordially supported by cabinet ministers, scientific societies, 
the heads of the great universities and research foundations, and the 
leading investigators in the States. 
The change in the mental outlook towards science in Great Britain has 
come in time. In this struggle for right and freedom the British nation 
has shown no decline. The people have displayed the same courage, 
fertility of resource, and tenacity of purpose as of yore. The time is ripe 
for changes in our educational system, and for the application of scientific 
research to our industries. If this policy is carried out to the full, it will 
certainly have a far-reaching effect on the future welfare of the country. 
Note. — Since this address was written it has been officially announced 
that the Treasury has set apart a sum of one million pounds to be ad- 
ministered by the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and 
Industrial Research during the next five years. 
(. Issued separately April 2, 1917.) 
