Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), Thursday 18 August 1932, page 7


SCIENTISTS CONFER Notable Sydney Gathering ."Of Highest Importance" SYDNEY, Wednesday. Impressive ceremony marked the opening of the 21st biennial meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science in the great hall of the University of Sydney to-night. The proceedings were quiet and dignified, but conveyed a sense of an unusual "atmosphere." T'he gathering was a sbrilliant one, many decorations glittering on the coats of the delegates, and being splashed with the colour of the dresses of the women. As the Governor (Sir Philip Came) whimsicacally put it, the assemblage belied the belief generally .ttributed to the "man in the street" that science was a sombre realm jealously guarded by a number of old gentlemen employing a curious jargon and living in a world of their own creation. It was, he said, a memorable occasion ushering in almost unostentatiously a conference of the hi:ghest importance to Australia. Mir. E. C. Andrews, retiring president, opened the proceedings witlh a complimentary speech, in which he inducted Sir Hubert Murray, Lieut.Governor of Papua, as president of the association. -.r. Andrews eulogised Sir Hubert Murray as a student of mathematics, physics and astronomy, and said that he had obtained the highest honours in connectio.l with political sc:ence in his work in New Guinea. Sir Hubert Murray, who was received with great enthusiasm, delivered hi inaugural address, taking as his subject "Scientific aspects of the pacification of Papua." From to-morrow the congress will take the form of numerous sectional meetings within the University, when papers dealing with a tremendous range of subjects will be read and discussed. Officers Elected At a meeting to-day of the general council, Sir Douglas Mawson was chosen president-elect for the next congress, which will be held inl felbourne in January, 193M. The Mueller Memorial Medal for important. contributions to anthropology. botany,. zoology, or geology, preferably published in Australia, was awarded to Mr.;J..:M,,Black, of Adelaide. Mr. Black has doine much iniportant work In regard to the botany of South ..ustralia. The following officers were re-elected: General. treasurer, AIr. D. Carment; trustees-New South Wales, Mr. D. A. B. WValkom: Victoria, Mr. E. R. Pitt: South Australia, Mir. R. S. Burdon: Western Australia, Professor E. do C. Clarke; Tasmania, Mr. Clive Lord: Queensland, Dr D. D. A. Herbert; New Zealand, Professor 0. C. Farr. MIr. G. A. Currie was appointed local secretary for the Federal Capital Territory, and Mr. R. A. Dallen was elected auditor. The council accepted an invitation from New Zealand to hold the 23rd meeting in Auckland. Poor Recognition WORK OF THE SCIENTIST A notable speech by Professor Sir Edgeworth David, Emeritus Professor of Geology in the University of Sydney and one of the vice-presidents of the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science, markedf the first function associated with the science congress -the civic reception by the Lord bMayor (Ald. WValder) to the officers of the association and of the various sections. The Lord Mayor, in proposing earlier the toast of "Science," had asked the question whether science and those engaged in it were sufflcliently rewarded for their great endeavours for the benefit of mankind. He added that personally he did not think the reward was commensurate with their labours. Alen unobstrusively devoted the whole of their lives to science and its wonderful fruits, yet a man could come .along, sing a funny song and make a funny face, and earn immeasurably greater pecuniary rewards and greater fame. The remarks of the Lord Mayor were taken as the text of Sir Edgeworth David's spcech in moving a vote of thanks to Ald. Walder. Sir Edgeworth David quoted Thomas Huxley. when the latter said that, whenever a discovery of marked economic and scientific importance was made, great was the acclamation of those who thought that they would benefit as a result of it, and for the time being science was the Diana of all the crafts, but while the jubilation resounded the crest of the wave of scientific investigation was already far away on its course over the illimitable ocean of the unknown. The scientist, proceeded Sir Edgeworth David, lived for the pursuit of hiis science. That was the scientist's great reward, "but," he added, "scientists, like other mortals, must live, and we think that it is reasonable that we should have an earthly reward reasonably commensurate with thle work which we are undertaking, so that we may not be limited in our endeavours. Here in Australia we have to thank tile powers that be for the cordial support which they are giving to science. There is, I am happy to say, a. growing sclintlfic opinion among our people. WVo are hopeful that the congress will be not only pleasurable, but of profit to the community."