SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
Australia, on account of its isolation, gains and loses something com- 
pared with other countries. In war she cannot easily be attacked, her 
5 boundaries knowing no other frontier than the sea. On the other hand, 
if she is attacked and her sea-borne commerce is temporarily cut off, she 
must be self-sufficient in order to be able to continue to fight. Her 
ships, her motor service, her aircraft, must have an ample supply of 
liquid fuel. To-day they are dependent upon petrol produced in 
America or Borneo. It rests with our scientists to discover a substi- 
tute—some raw material that will yield up industrial alcohol in an 
economical way. There are plenty of known raw materials, but most 
of them are too costly. The low temperature distillation of coal may 
be the solution of the problem, or it may be that the huge shale deposits 
of the Wolgan Valley may yet be the salvation of Australia. 
(Photo. by Pound, Q. Gort. Bacteriologist. 
TICKS LAYING EGGS BY THE THOUSAND. 
“This pest has caused millions sterling of loss to the cattle raisers of this country.” 
Industrial efficiency in a nation is largely dependent upon three or 
four cardinal factors—(1) well-trained workmen; (2) cheap fuel; 
(3) cheap and effective transport, and (4) organization, Take these 
factors in order and consider what part the scientist can play in each. 
First there is the efficiency of the workman. This is contingent upon 
effective technical training; upon his health, which rests upon com- 
fortable housing and scientific sanitation; upon his contentment, which 
depends upon his general surroundings, and upon his feeling that it is 
not a hopeless task for him to provide for a comfortable old age for 
himself, and opportunities for his offspring equal to those of the most 
292 
