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The proposed establishment of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry will be further considered after the return of the Prime Minister to Australia. Action has. been taken, however, in connection with paragraph 7 of the Committee's report, and an Advisory Council has been appointed by the Governor-General in Council to carry out the following objects: — (i.) The consideration and initiation of scientific researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary and. secondary industries in, the Commonwealth : (ii.) The collection of industrial scientific information, and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry. The Minister of Agriculture of each State of the Commonwealth is ex officio a member of the Advisory Council, and the Prime Minister, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council, is the Chairman. An Executive Committee of the Advisory Council has been appointed, the Chairman of which is the Prime Minister, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council. Ministers suggest that tire Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council of Science and Industry be authorized to enter into direct relations with the Advisory Council appointed by His Majesty's Government. Copies of the documents forwarded under cover of the Secretary of State's despatch of the 29th March were brought to the notice of the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Advisory Council, and a copy of a minute of the Executive Committee on the subject is enclosed herewith. I have, &c, R. M. Ferguson, Governor-General. The Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Proposals for a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry. . Report of Committee Appointed in pursuance of motion passed at Conference convened by Prime Minister, that " An Advisory Committee be constituted' to formulate proposals to the Government to establish a Commonwealth Bureau of Science and Industry." Members of Committee. Representatives of Universities. —Sydney —Professor Sir Thomas Anderson Stuart; Melbourne—Professor Orme Masson ; Queensland —Professor Alex. J. Gibson ; Adelaide—Sir Douglas Mawson. Inter-State Commissioners. —Mr. A. B. Piddington, K.C. ; the Hon. G. Swinburne. The Associated Chambers of Commerce of Australia. —Mr. W. T. Appleton. The Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia. —Mr. W. W. Forwood. Messrs. G. D. Delprat, W. S. Robinson, E. W. Knox, W. P. Wilkinson (Commonwealth Analyst), J. M. Higgins, W. Russell Grimwade. Ex officio Members. —Prime Minister of the Commonwealth; the Hon. F. Hagelthorn, Minister of Agriculture, Victoria; the Hon. W. Lennon, Minister of Agriculture, Queensland; the Hon. C. Goode, Minister of Agriculture, South Australia. I. Introduction. The Committee appointed in pursuance of the motion set out above met in the Cabinet-room, Commonwealth Offices, on the 6th, 7th, Bth, 12th, and 13th January, 1916. The Committee, in formulating the following scheme, has been greatly impressed with the magnitude and the possibilities of the proposals made by the Prime Minister, and is strongly of opinion that the time has arrived for initiating the extensive scheme of scientific research work in connection with industry which he has outlined. The Committee is convinced that the results of properly conducted investigations into many of the subjects referred to in his address will amply repay considerable expenditure and fully justify a bold and comprehensive policy being adopted. Not only will the results be a greatly increased productivity and output in many directions —in both primary and secondary industries —but the stimulus generally given to scientific research in relation to our industries will exert a powerful influence on our educational institutions, and bring them and the industrial community to realize the commercial value of science more fully than hitherto. In fact, the initiation of the scheme will, in the opinion of the Committee, go far to inaugurate a new era in the economic and industrial life of the Commonwealth. The proposals which follow will provide for the formation of a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry under the control of directors of the highest business and scientific attainment, acting with the advice and co-operation of a Council representing science and the primary and secondary industries of Australia. 11. Recommendations. 1. There should be established under Act of Parliament a Commonwealth Institute of Science and Industry. 2. The functions of the Institute should be— (i.) To consider and initiate scientific, researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary or secondary industries in, the Commonwealth : (ii.) The collection of industrial scientific information and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry : (iii ) The establishment of national laboratories;