posed upon authors and speakers, and it was a very exceptional paper that could be given more than 10 minutes. Though, no doubt, it would be well to have more time, yet such restriction is not so bad as it might seem. Fairly complete abstracts were available, and were often read in place of the paper. These abstracts were printed and distributed on the morning or afternoon that any particular paper came on, and it could thus be seen in advance what the paper was about, and as all the delegates were staying at the same hotel in Tokyo, there were many other opportunities for discussion. It was in the hotel that some of the most valuable discussions took place, between perhaps the author of a paper and others who might be interested. It is often the case in scientific meetings such as this, that informal discussions arising perhaps out of papers read are more productive of good than the actual hearing of the papers. To appreciate fully the work described by an author in a written paper, it is necessary to read and study the paper and in Physical and Mathematical Papers it is frequently important to work out anew the author's mathematical reasoning. For this the publication of the paper is essential, and in the present case most, if not all of the papers read, will, in due course, be published. And so it is that although the number of papers offered was very large for the time available, yet I think all the delegates felt that this did not militate against the success of the meeting to the extent which it might have been expected to have done by those who were not present. In future meetings it may, perhaps, be well if a previous censorship of papers is instituted, so that only those of outstanding importance shall be read.

Constitution of the Congress.—Up till the present meeting I believe the meetings of the Conference have been conducted without any very definite constitution or by-laws, such being left to the President, and to the discretion of those organising the next forthcoming meeting—that is to say to the Local Organising Committee at the place of meeting. At the Tokyo meeting just passed, however, a definite Constitution and By-laws were drawn up, and received the approval of the Conference as a whole. By this Constitution, the name of the Conference is now “The Pacific Science Association,” and its meetings are to be held at intervals of not less than two and not more than five years. The Constitution consists of fifteen clauses, of which Clause 4, relating to the Constitution of the Council, is probably the most interesting and important from the point of view of the New Zealand Institute. The administrative work of the Association is arranged to be carried on by a Council of not more than fifteen members, the seats on which Council are allocated to “Countries,” of which eleven or twelve are named in the Constitution, leaving three or four vacancies for countries that may at some future time desire to come in. The countries so far named are: United States of America, Canada, Australia, France, Great Britain, Hawaii, Japan, Netherlands, Netherlands East Indies, New Zealand, Phillippine Islands, and Russia, and for these countries, the country shall be represented on the Council by one member for each country, who shall be elected by its National Research Council, or by some other scientific organisation of recognised standing. The scientific bodies thus having electoral powers are named in the Constitution, and in the absence at present of a National Research Council, the New Zealand Institute has been named for New Zealand.

Amongst the by-laws which consist of fourteen Articles, there is one (Article 7) for which perhaps we may be grateful. It provides that the usual Language of the Congress shall be English.

Other than these matters, there does not seem to be anything in either the Constitution or in the By-laws of sufficient local interest to draw attention to.

Visits to Scientific Institutions.—This journey to Japan presented exceptional opportunities for visiting and obtaining information about the activities of any particular Scientific Institution there in whose work one might be interested. In most cases visits of a large body of delegates to these institutions was a part of the programme of the Congress, but at such visits the greatness of the numbers present prevented many questions being asked, or much individual attention being given to any particular visitor. They were, however, most valuable as they showed all who took part in them

how much Japan was doing in the cause of science. One had, however, only to express a wish to see any particular institution, and a more or less private inspection of it was most willingly and most courteously arranged. In this more complete way one was enabled to see many most interesting organisations, the work of some of which will now be referred to.

The Aeronautical Research Institute at Tokyo.—This Institute is, and always has been, a part of the Imperial University of Tokyo. The first of the Ordinances which govern it states that the Aeronautical Research Institute shall be attached to the Tokyo Imperial University, though its present location is some miles from what is actually the Imperial University Building.

It concerns itself with the investigation of all subjects relating to aeronautics, a term which it wisely interprets in a very broad manner. It is a development of the “Investigation Committee on Aeronautics,” which was founded under the chairmanship of Dr. A. Tanakadate in 1916. The Research Institute dates from 1918, and like most other Tokyo institutions was very seriously damaged by the 1923 earthquake. It is, however, rebuilt sufficiently to enable work to be carried on there pending the completion of a much larger and more complete Institution at another part of the city. Much might be said about this institution, but in the limits of a report only a few of the points which were most interesting to myself can be referred to. The work of the Institution is divided into twelve Departments, which are as follows:—

The Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials, Wind Tunnels, Aero Engines, Aircraft, with sub-departments of Instruments and Aeronautical Psychology, Central Library, Workshop, Office.

It will be seen that at the head of this list of departments, which is taken as it stands out of a report of the Institute, the Fundamental Sciences of Physics and Chemistry are recognised as of the first importance in progress. This is the case in all the Japanese Research Establishments of this sort, and there are very many of them. Without progress in the Fundamental Sciences, progress in the applications is impossible. I was very much struck with the work in these departments, and with the width of interpretation adopted. The whole Institution is under the general control of Baron Shiba, who most kindly showed me over ft. The liberal staffing of the various departments is worthy of more than passing notice. Thus the Physical Department has five chief investigators, nine senior assistants, seven junior assistants, and two laboratory attendants. The Chemical Department has seven chief members, one senior assistant, five junior assistants, and one laboratory attendant. The Aero Engine Depot has eight chief investigators, twelve senior assistants, fifteen junior assistants, and twenty-two laboratory assistants, and so on throughout the whole of the Institute. The subjects under investigation at present are some nineteen in number in the Physical Department, nine in Chemistry, five in Metallurgy, two in Materials, seven in Wind Tunnel Department, thirty-three in the Aero Engine Department, eleven in Air Craft Department, five in the Instrument Department, and seven in the Aeronautical Psychology Department, making in all about 100 different subjects which are under investigation in this one Institute of Aeronautical Research alone. Many researches have been completed and have led to results of great value, and one finds amongst these such subjects as the Transverse Vibrations of Elliptic and Rectangular Plates, The Content of Helium and other constituents in the Natural Gases or Japan, and many many others. The bearing of the first of the subjects mentioned is, of course, in connection with the vibrations of Aeroplane Wings, and that of the second is for the inflation of dirigible balloons. One must visit Japan to realise what is being done in institutions like this—one institution that is to say, whose whole object is research, and I think one should spend a much longer time there than I was able to do, to appreciate fully what is going on. It is there and at similar places that every advance in scientific method is examined, and if it is possible, some application of it is made to the practical problems under consideration. The remotely, or seemingly remotely-connected subject of Piezo Electricity finds a most valuable use in the investigation of the pressure of piston rings and

the wearing of cylinder walls. Electric valves find an application here to the examination of the rate of dissemination of the gaseous charge to different parts of the cylinder. Very much more could be said about this interesting institution at which, owing to the courtesy of Baron Shiba, I was able to spend an all-too-short morning, but it is after all only one of many other similar places and I must refer to some of the others.

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research.—Perhaps the best way to begin my remarks upon this will be to quote from a pamphlet which was published this year concerning it:—

“The Purposes of the Institute.” “The Institute conducts investigations in the pure sciences of Physics and Chemistry, aiming at their industrial development, and at the same time engaging in applied research. No undertaking, whether it be in industry or in Agriculture would be able to attain sound development unless it was based on Physics and Chemistry. Particularly in such a densely populated country as Japan, where industrial materials as well as other commodities are not ample, it is essential to aim at the development of industry by having recourse to science, thereby promoting national interest. The object of the Institute is to perform this important mission.

“Industrial Experiments.—When any Physico-chemical applied research is completed in the laboratory, it is tested for its industrial applicability, and in case the test shows an appropriate result, arrangement for manufacture is carried out at the Institute; or the manufacture may be entrusted to others; or a new company may be established on the basis of a remunerative contract with the Institute, depending upon the nature of the work. At present there are several undertakings that have already existed as industries or are going to exist as such. As the fundamental cause of success in these applied researches lies in there being sound scientific investigations at the back of them, a part of any profit accuruing to the Institute is allocated to the investigation expense of pure science and a further part is given as a reward to the inventor or discoverer.”

The staff of this institution numbers three hundred and eighty-four, of whom two hundred and sixteen are directly engaged in the investigations. The number of distinct lines of research pursued is this year one hundred and seventy-one, whilst last year it was one hundred and fifty-four. The results of the researches are published, very often in the English language, but they do not appear, as a rule, in any of the more generally recognised Scientific Journals which we see, at any rate in New Zealand; and I have, therefore, asked that copies of any papers that may come out should be sent to us, and I think it would be well if some recognised library, such, for instance, as the library of the New Zealand Institute, should make a formal application, through its librarian or its president, for copies to be sent it. I feel sure that such a request would be readily granted.

Glancing through a list of the investigations which was very kindly given to me, one would hardly realise that this Institute of Physical and Chemical Research is, like the Aeronautical Research Institute, utilitarian in its work. But the Japanese have realised that for the industries to attain a sound development it is an absolute essential that they should be based upon the fundamental sciences of Physics and Chemistry, and that any advance in these means a hundred-fold corresponding advance in the Industries and in Agriculture. They therefore interpret the Charter in the broadest possible spirit, and amongst the one hundred and seventy-one distinct investigations in progress in the Institute, there are to be found those relating

and one hundred and sixty-others. The greatest freedom is given to the investigators in their work, they are free to undertake or reject any proposed problem. They are experts in their work and are treated as such but they receive some benefit of a financial kind for any practical applications of their work. I had the benefit of spending an afternoon at this most interesting institution, and was most kindly shown round by Professor Nagaoka, whose scientific reputation is well known, and by Viscount Okochi, who is the “Superintendent and Director” of it.

The time available was, of course, much too short to appreciate all, or nearly all, that was going on at this most interesting establishment, and very little of the work could really be seen, but what I did see showed how complete and efficient the methods of investigation were, and what a valuable stream of knowledge is issuing from it.

The Institute was founded only nine years ago, and its income is derived from an endowment of over £600,000, about one sixth of which was an Imperial gift, a third was a Government subsidy, and the other half consisted of contributions from official sources as well as from individuals. The income is now, no doubt, being augmented by its interest in the rights of some one hundred and forty patents which have been obtained as the results of investigations carried out at the establishment.

The Research Institute for Iron, Steel and other Metals at Sendai.—It is a remarkable thing, and one to be noticed, that many of the “practical” research institutions of Japan are connected with Universities. The Iron and Steel Institute is a part of the Imperial University at Sendai, and the Aeronautical Institute is part of the Imperial University of Tokyo, whilst the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research is connected closely with the Tokyo Imperial University. This fact becomes more and more impressive the more of these institutions one is able to obtaini information about. The Iron and Steel Institute began in a somewhat small way in 1915 to deal with problems arising out of the War, but its scope has been rapidly enlarged until in 1924 its staff was very large, seemingly about 100 persons, with Professor Honda, a man whose reputation has been recognised in Europe for many years, at their head. The Research Staff consists of 20 gentlemen, all of them men of distinction and learning.

Forty-one questions have been the subjects of investigation since September of last year, of which a few may be enumerated, though these are picked at random from the list. Some of the forty-one are for example:

The Institute publishes its results—or at least some of them—in the Science Reports of the Tohoku Imperial University in European languages, and has thus published in some accessible European languages no less than one hundred and forty papers. The knowledge contained in these papers must be a very mine of information for those engaged in metallurgical questions, and it speaks most eloquently for the broadness of the view that the Japanese adopt, that they have published these papers in a European language—as indeed they do most of their papers in every institution. In the vast majority of cases the language used in recent years is English.

The regulations with regard to patent rights arising from work done in the Institute are well worthy of study, more especially as similar questions will crop up in connection with the Department of Industrial Research which is about to be established in New Zealand.

The Geophysical Laboratory at Beppu.—This laboratory, which is a part of the Imperial University of Kyoto—though it is several hundred miles from it—has only recently been established. So far no publications have issued from it, though a good deal of work is in hand. The laboratory is situated in one of the principal hot spring regions of Japan. The work undertaken there consists of researches, amongst others, into changes of level, temperature, hydrogen and chlorine ion content, and electrical conductivity of the hot spring waters. Microseismographs magnifying fifty thousand times are to be seen there, and the institution is undoubtedly being established at Beppu on a very broad and valuable basis. Indeed, it

might form a better model upon which to establish our own proposed vulcanological station than the Hawaiian Vulcanalogical Observatory. The latter is perhaps more concerned with the activities of a living volcano, whereas this Geo-Physical Laboratory is in a region not very unlike Rotorua, although perhaps of rather less activity than Rotorua. I was able to spend an all too short time at the laboratory. Dr. Shida, of the Geophysical Department of the Kyoto University, is in charge of the laboratory, and many of the instruments in use in it are of his own design.

Research in Japan.—What I have said refers to the institutions that I was able—in the exceedingly short time available—to visit. I am afraid it gives a most imperfect idea of the work that is going on in them, and it certainly gives no idea of the amount of research in progress in Japan. Besides the work at institutions mainly intended for that purpose, and to deal at all with these would need a volume rather than a short report, besides these, an immense amount of first-class research work is done at the Universities themselves, but I shall refer to them again shortly. There are forty-five Government or Municipal Research Institutions in Japan. As well as these there are twenty-five other institutions, either privately endowed or maintained by business firms. One of these is the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research already referred to, and this number does not include Observatories of which there are many. The average number of research “experts” employed in these institutions is about 23, which number does not include those who are classed as “assistants,” and who are very much more numerous, probably at least double as many. Thus the average institution is a very large institution, and as far as I have been able to judge the “experts” are most exceedingly competent men, and it does not include either the Observatories nor the Universities, and as I have said before, an exceedingly large amount of research work is done in institutions maintained by the Universities.

The Imperial Universities.—There are six of these, namely Tokyo, Kyoto, Sendai, Tohoku (at Sendai), Kyushu at Fukuoka, Hokkaido, and Keijo. There are also other Universities known as private Universities, to which I shall not refer. The staffing of these Universities is to a New Zealander exceedingly liberal, but it accounts for much that it would be otherwise impossible to explain. I shall refer in any detail only to the Imperial University at Tokyo, and also that at Kyoto, as these were the only ones I had an opportunity of seeing. The Tokyo University, besides teaching its students, or rather, perhaps, as an aid to teaching its students, maintains the following institutions:

as well (evidently) as some others.

The Kyoto University has associated with it:

These are, of course, in addition to the usual laboratories which are to be found in every modern University. The general policy and mode of working of these Universities can, perhaps, be seen from considering one department in one of them, and the one I naturally choose is that of Physics at Kyoto. The Department of Physics is divided there into three sub-departments, viz.:

The sub-branch physics has in it four professors three assistant professors and two lecturers, and I was informed that there are less than 60