SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
them in mass. The latter argues the possessicn of a large stock of 
tools and a stock of trained brains and hands that can be readily 
switched to any direction that the political situation may demand. 
In respect of supplies of natural material I should suppose that 
Australia is better placed than most countries, but, of course, natural 
material has to pass through many phases before it reaches the stage 
of being a “supply” for the machines or apparatus that produce 
finished munitions. It is no doubt pleasing to know that Australia has 
illimitable quantities of iron ore, but what the munition maker wants 
is steel of certain quality, rolled to a certain shape. There is no nation 
that has more salt at its doors than Australia, but the munition-maker 
wants caustic soda and chlorine. If this line of thought is followed in 
other directions you will discover our many deficiencies and how much 
remains to be done. 
The tariff and -recent legislation give evidence that the Government 
is prepared to encourage the industries of “supply,” but, as will be 
readily understood, the evolution of a country from the stage of 
“llimitable resources” to that of a manufacturing community is a 
slow and costly process. That cost is borne by the people of Australia 
in the form of protective duties, and, in fairness to them, should be 
taken into account when making per capita comparison with defence 
expenditure in other countries, 
There are two conditions that I consider should be attached to an 
Australian tariff. One is that protection should be “ scientific,” in the 
sense that Government when protecting an industry also protects the 
people of Australia from rule of thumb methods by insisting on an 
adequate measure of scientific control and gnidance by managements. 
Such a step would give permanence to our industries and rapidly 
increase the national staff to chemists and engineers, without which the 
“illimitable resources” cannot be brought down to brass tacks. 
The other condition is that protection should only be granted when 
the petitioning industry agrees to meet defence requirements. Two 
instances have come under my notice where industries enjoying protec- 
tion at the expense of the people find it inconvenient to deliver goods in 
the shape or form required by defence or by other industries that 
strengthen our general position. 
If these two conditions set out are complied with under the present 
tariff, it will go far towards solving the problem of “ supplies.” 
The element of labour is a subject on which I can speak from 
considerable personal experience both in the chemical and the engineer- 
ing industries. It is competent, readily adaptable, and will take up new 
forms of technology with enthusiasm. ‘There is no fear that the 
worker will fail if the staff is clearly instructed as to what is wanted 
and “supply” is suitable; and it is in these directions that Govern- 
ment at the outbreak of war should be prepared to give guidance. 
In peace the energies of industrialists must be free and occupied in 
the problems presented in maintaining and improving their position 
against world competition, but in war the burden of mass production 
of munitions could be assumed by them were the Government ready 
with the knowledge and equipment, peculiar to their manufacture. 
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