CHEMISTS AND INDUSTRY. 
——=—— 
Chemists and Industry: Some Points for Consideration. 
By A. C. D. RIVETT, M.A., D.Sc. 
At the end of the er 
wealth and even more g 
that time and thought 
the attitude of many p 
reck of 
owded four years that have made unexampled baie 
triking wreck of ideas and points of view, it is ate 
be given to the re-adjustment that will be nece aha 
rofessions to the national life. The sega ie a 
for instance, has certainly much adjustment to make before its re ety seca 
community resumes a placidity equal to that of former NAT RIES Ee Ri erdtrtatite 
alone in this. ‘There is, among students and exponents of Seca eae of the 
methods, still greater necessity for a new outlook, and a reconsiderat ee ets 
old relationships to the community at large. Much thought is being cf ¢ devoted 
in the leading countries of the world, and in particular is atuention ens agi, Tae 
to the position of scientists relatively to directly industrial life. It is coe ba 
ever, proposed to discuss here go large and general a matter as the w 
Y seat, : : : - is erely to raise 
alms of scientists in general in their bearing on industry, but merely 
Some few points concerning one special section—the chemists. 
} ; yi i the first 
During the war, chemists have occupied a unique position. Since 
rather chaotie months, 
it has been the policy of most countries ve pte ae 
chemists, so fay a8 possible, for purely professional work, exempung , Tes 
the obligation to undertake war Service in directly combative VapsLanTa Ne: on gas 
true that during the time when the practice prevailed of GipehaT eine ee Ste 
in clouds chemists were required to carry out the work in Se ae carats 
utmost danger, But that period was limited, and for the most fats where 
work has been behind the front lines and in the munitions Lane 
danger, though n 
: t risked 
ot inconsiderable, has been of a different order from tha 
y the men immediately confronting the enemy. 
i P 1 to 
Perhaps on this account more may he expected of chemists in the seque 
the war, Certainly thei 
r duties in national service remain very ey f a 
end of the fighting has left the chemist in a different position from tha = the 
soldier, The immediate activities of each have ceased, in we eee 
“xercise of the chemists Powers in other (and not so very dissimilar) ‘ eure 
Without delay ig ; Every belligerent country, Australia inc a aie 
» & huge decrease in its wealth. as aaa 
is burden by production as vast as its jem kes) 
Australia, admittedly, must look first to her Ba Be 
u lemist’s part, though far from insignificant, is no woe 
Important, But also, and to an extent not very inferior, she must =e A 
numerous Secondary industries which require for their full Sale a = 
Breater or logs measure, investigation and control hay AE) OUGHT ee tie 
it is true that his °pportunities may be limitless; yet it is also a fact re ae 
Scope as is frequently enough offered at present may not be very attrac ie = 
him, Not Seldom the career of the technical chemist is one of heavy routine a 
: t Fe i blems 
frequent disappointment, and by no meang a succession of fascinating pro 
and triumphant discoveries, . 
But the Point to be 
before. August, 1914 
largely int 
problem j 
ture hag 
Industries, in which the cl 
emphasized is that in these days, as never in ey a 
Paes) duty rather than personal preference mus au 
“0 & man’s Consideration of his course of action. Granted that pro d 
tion must be largely increased in Australia to pay the cost of eran! a 
8Tanted that chemists Properly trained and properly applying their Bane Cote 
Contribute Sreatly towards this end (and no man of knowledge or judgment 
41 
