SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
be taken to expedite the establishment of the permanent Institute and 
to co-operate in its work. A resolution was passed urging the Govern- 
ment to establish the Institute on a permanent basis at an early date. 
At a further meeting, at which a representative of the Institute was 
present by invitation, the question was considered as to what steps could 
be taken to co-operate with the Institute. It was decided that no such 
steps could be usefully taken until the Bill to establish the permanent 
Institute is passed. These conferences were convened by the New South 
Wales Director of Education, and reflect the feeling of kindred organi- 
zations in other States regarding the necessity for the early foundation 
of the permanent Institute. ~ 
Werrare Work. 
A-bulletin was published on welfare work, setting out what has been 
done in regard to “industrial welfare” in Europe and America. There 
has been a very large demand foy copies of the bulletin. A second 
bulletin on “ Welfare Work in Australia” is nearing completion. 
MiIscELLANEOUS. 
A large number of miscellaneous matters, many of which involve a 
considerable amount of inquiry, was dealt with. Among them the fol- 
lowing may be mentioned:—Imperial Entomological Conference—Re- 
presentation of the Commonwealth; Gas Masks for Mine Rescue Work; 
The Utilization of Straw and other Fibrous Material for Manufactur- 
ing Butter Boxes; Pearl Shell Industry—The question of closing down 
Pearl Beds; Sandalwood Oil—Prodiuction of Australian Oil to eon- 
form with British Pharmacopmia Standard; Standardization of 
Nomenclature of Economic Plants of Australia; Scientific Research 
in British Colonies and Protectorates—Despatch from Colonial Secre- 
tary; Application of Electricity to Increase Crop Production; Stan- 
dardization of Roofing Slates; The Utilization of Prickly Pear by a 
Patent Process; Citrus Canker in Fruit Trees; The Kimberley Horse 
Disease: in Western Australia. 
Posmwonra Frere. 
An exhaustive investigation has been completed into the properties 
of Posidonia fibre, which is found in very large quantities around the 
coast of South Australia. Important results have been obtained, and 
are being followed up by the companies operating the fibre. It is 
anticipated that the industrial benefits resulting from these investiga- 
tions will be of considerable importance. 
Srep IMPROVEMENT. 
Progress has been made by the Inter-State Committee which is 
carrying out investigations with a view to improvement in the seed 
sown for the cultivation of cereal crops. The Committee has com- 
pleted the first section of its work, relating to all the more important 
varieties of wheat, and a report on the matter is nearing completion. 
to 
