44

A.—2

5. The Committee further resolved as follows :— (i.) "That all discoveries, inventions, improvements, processes, and machines made by workers directly employed by the Institute should be vested in trustees appointed by it as its sole property, and should be made available, under proper conditions and on payment of gratuities or otherwise, for public advantage." (ii.) " That the Council of the Institute should be empowered to recommend to the Government the payment of bonuses to successful discoverers or inventors working under the auspices of the Institute." (iii.) " That the Institute should be empowered to charge fees for special investigations, subject to regulations approved by the Governor-General in Council." 6. Though these matters are not directly connected with the proposed Institute, the Committee passed two further resolutions: — (i.) " That steps should be taken with a view to co-ordinating the work of our technical colleges and trade schools throughout Australia, so that a supply of scientifically taught craftsmen will be available to support the expansion of industry that it is hoped will result from the operations of the Institute of science and industry." (ii.) " That with a view to promoting our export trade in Australian products it is desirable that serious attention be given to the study of modern languages, including Oriental languages, for commercial purposes." Immediate Arrangements. 7. The Committee realizes that the establishment of the Institute will necessarily involve some delay, but being impressed with (lie urgent need for work of the character proposed the Committee resolved as follows :— (i.) "That until the'lnstitute is established an Advisory Council be appointed by the Governor-General in Council particularly to carry out the objects expressed in Resolutions 2 (i) and (ii) —viz, 'To consider and initiate scientific researches in connection with, or for the promotion of primary or secondary industries in, the Commonwealth'; and (ii) 'The collection of industrial scientific information and the formation of a bureau for its dissemination amongst those engaged in industry.' " (ii.) " That the Federal and State Munitions Committees, heads of the Commonwealth and State scientific Departments, and bodies representative of Commonwealth manufacture, commerce, agriculture, mining, and engineering, the universities and technical colleges, and private enterprises be invited to suggest branches of industrial scientific research in which investigation would be of immediate practical use to producers and manufacturers." (iii.) "That the Advisory Council be appointed forthwith, and that when appointed it. immediately take steps to initiate research work into the most pressing matters needing investigation, and seek the co-operation of existing institutions, and utilize the resources of staff and equipment at our disposal at the present time." (iv.) The Committee suggests for the consideration of the Advisory Council that the following problems, amongst others, are pressing : — The sheep-fly pest. Improved methods of extracting zinc from Australian ores, including the commercial manufacture of electrolytic zinc. The utilization of brown coal with recovery of by-products. The introduction of a mechanical cotton-picker. The eradication of the prickly pear. The production of aluminium and ferro alloys. The recovery of potash, manufacture of alkali, and condensation of sulphurousacid gas at present being wasted. The cultivation of useful indigenous grasses and salt-bushes. The manufacture of fine chemicals, drugs, and explosives. It is, of course, impossible to predict, in matters of research, what the outcome of investigations may be. And the Committee realizes that not all the above subjects can be examined to the point of final results during the interval before the Institute gets to work. The Committee, however, suggests that in many, if not all, of the above matters most valuable work could be done in collecting data, and in effect making a preliminary census both as to present discoveries and the staff and apparatus available in Australia. Such work is an indispensable first step in all research. In addition to this there is ample scope for practical work during the interval in vigorously prosecuting the dissemination of known information as to processes, (fee, amongst, our producers and manufacturers. (v.) "That funds be placed at the disposal of the Advisory Council for the above purposes." 8. The Committee desires to thank the Prime Minister for having placed at its disposal the services of Mr. Gerald Lightfoot, barrister-at-law, whose work as Secretary has been greatly valued by the Committee. ■ Orme Masson (Chairman). W. S. Robinson. A. B. Piddington. George Swinburne. G. D. Delprat. Alex. J. Gibson. W. Russell Grimwade. Douglas Mawson. J. M. Higgins. W. W. Forwood Gerald Lightfoot, Secretary to Committee.