SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
The Australian Chemical Institute. 
’ By BERTRAM J. SMART, B.Sc. (Lond.}.* ; 
With a few notable exceptions, there can be little doubt that, until 
the last few years, the profession of chemistry in Australia occupied 
a position of minor importance in comparison with other professions, 
and, as a consequence, showed very little sign of progress. It is true 
that each State possessed a Government Analyst, whilst certain large 
undertakings, as, for instance, the Colonial Sugar Refining Company 
and various mining establishments, carried a well-organized scientific 
staff. Moreover, in the various capitals many consulting chemists prac- 
tised their profession with more or less success, depending to a large 
extent on the mining industry for their regular work. On the other 
hand, it is probable that the mind of the ordinary public scarcely appre- 
ciated the services which the chemist rendered the community, and had 
no conception of the important part which chemical knowledge should 
play under the stress of modern life. But the war has changed all that. 
Out of the turmoil has come another revival of learning, which has 
swept the world and has taught the man in the street that in every 
stage of life he is dependent on chemical science; and that not only life 
in all its phases, but the production of food, clothing, and other means 
to existence are one huge chemical reaction. ; 
One of the results which this scientific renaissance has brought 
about is a desire on the part of the chemist himself for organization, 
which has made itself manifest in all parts of the British Empire. In 
Australia, that desire has now taken practical shape in the formation 
of the “ Australian Chemical Institute,” which has grown in three years 
to a membership of well nigh 600, and promises to develop into an 
important instrument in the national progress. It will be of some 
interest to put on record how this Institute was formed, and to set 
out some of the objects which it hopes to achieve.” 
Before doing so, however, it is necessary to mention that, for the 
last 40 years, a well-known body, the “Institute of Chemistry of Great 
Britain and Ireland,” has been in existence, and, incorporated under a 
Royal charter, has comprised within its ranks a large number of 
chemists, both in England and abroad. Early in 1916, a movement was 
on foot to form branches of the Institute of Chemistry in the Dominions, 
and the Fellows resident in Australia, numbering -between 50 and 60, 
had already taken preliminary steps with this object in view. Since 
it was formed, the Institute of Chemistry has steadily raised the 
standard of admission to its ranks, and the right to use the now well- 
known letters “ A.T.0.” or “F-.I.C.” is clearly recognised as evidence 
of a thorough training in practical chemistry. Until quite recently, in 
order to gain admission to the associateship, a candidate was required to 
undergo a course of training at an approved institution, and also to 
pass an examination of a high order, whilst thé Fellowship was granted 
to Associates who had practised for three years, and had undergone a 
further test. For reasons which need not be discussed here, however, 
* Hon. General Secretary of the Australian Chemical Institute. 
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