ee ae 
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
copra; the manufacture of indelible inks and pencils; extraction of 
vegetable oils; condenser tube corrosion; utilization of military gas 
masks in mine rescue work; manufacture of fire-bricks; utilization of 
residue of carbide after gas extraction; sulphur from gypsum; anti- 
fouling composition; preparation of dolomite for furnaces; processes 
for manufacture of salt; manufacture of fine gelatine; manufacture of 
materials for cleaning suede leather. 
2. Investigations on Road-making Materials, &c.—This question has 
been investigated by a special committee of experts, and a scheme of 
‘ experimental work has been formulated for the consideration -of the 
Directors of the future Institute. 
3. Weights and ' Measures—The question of scientific control of 
weights and measures in Australia has been investigated and reported 
upon. 
4. Leather —A large amount of information and expert advice has 
been obtained on this question, with a view to steps being taken by the 
permanent Institute to improve scientific methods of control. 
5. St. John’s Wort.—In co-operation with the Imperial Bureau of 
Entomology, preliminary investigations are being carried out with a 
view to the control of this pest by means of natural parasites. 
6. Miscellaneous.—A very.large number of raw materials have been 
tested and analyzed, with a view to ascertaining their commercial 
utility. 
F.—Bureau of Information. 
An important part of the work of the temporary body has been the 
furnishing of information to persons engaged in industry. A Bureau 
of Information has been established on a small scale, with a library 
of scientific, technical, and industrial books and journals, all catalogued 
and- indexed on the card system. Information has been furnished on 
a great variety of subjects to a large number of persons inquiring re 
scientific and technical matters, especially concerning new processes, 
manufacturing difficulties, and the utilization of new raw materials 
or substitutes therefor. The increasing number of inquiries received 
shows that the Bureau has come to fill a place in the needs of the com- 
munity, and it is believed that this class of work will play a yery 
important part in the work of the permanent Institute. 
VI.—Co-opERATION wirH THE STATES. 
Another important part of the work of the temporary body has been 
the preparation of preliminary schemes for work of a continuous nature 
for the permanent Institute, e.g., the establishment of a Forest Products 
Laboratory in Western Australia, and of a Stock Diseases Experiment 
Station in New South Wales. One of the most frequent arguments 
directed against the creation of a Commonwealth Institute of Science 
and Industry is that it would result in duplication and overlapping of 
effort in respect to the work of State Scientifie and Technical Depart- 
ments; and it has been stated that no steps have been taken by the 
temporary body to secure the co-operation of these Departments and 
of other authorities in the work. A brief review of the facts show 
that these criticisms are wholly lacking in foundation. Not only did 
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