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(i) It is objected (para. 12) that such technical trials can only be made with advan-, tage in close touch with industries. This statement is true, but the work of the Imperial Institute has always been done in co-operation with, and often at the direct suggestion of, manufacturera.

The

(ii) It is objected (para. 12) that it is "impossible to gauge the suitability of ma- terials for commercial use by such examination as is contemplated by the Institute. answer to this is that numerous materials have been already successfully introduced to manufacturers on the basis of technical trials conducted at the Institute. These include tanning materials, fibres and paper-making materials, as well as many other products. Technical trials at the Imperial Institute have demonstrated that good leather can probably be made by using sant pods from the Sudan as a tanning agent. This conclu- sion, and similar conclusions for other materials, have been confirmed by trials subse- quently conducted by manufacturers on a large scale. The same is true with regard to the production of paper from waste wattle bark and the utilisation of numerous other materials, which are the result of those technical trials conducted at the Imperial In- stitute as a preliminary to large-scale trials by manufacturers.

If this technical work is not done at the Imperial Institute, and investigation at the Institute is to be confined to work of a chemical laboratory for analyses, etc., the value of an effective system, which has been gradually built up after years of labour and experience, will be destroyed.

(iii) It is objected (pam. 15) that there are already existing institutions engaged in this technological work. As illustrations, there are given the Tanning Schools at Leeds and Bermondsey, the Dyeing School at Leeds and the Imperial College of Science for Timbers.

The Committee were evidently unaware of the extent to which the Institute has co-operated with the Tanning Schools referred to, or to the number of enquiries which have been referred to the Dyeing School at Leeds. It is more than doubtful whether further delegation could be effected with any advantage. In the case of timbers, it is alleged that the Imperial Institute has overlapped with similar work at the Imperial College of Science, and that the plant has been duplicated at the Imperial Institute. The Committee appear to be unaware of the fact that for some years an arrangement wos made with the College to carry out in ite Engineering Branch mechanical tests of timbers with the machinery already installed there, chiefly, however, for general educational purposes and not specially for timber testing. After some years it was found that there were several disadvantages in connection with this arrangement, the principal being that the College was unable, except with long delays, to carry out the tests required owing to the machinery being needed for teaching purposes. As the timber work of the Imperial Institute increased, it was decided, with the approval of the College specialists, to instal at the Imperial Institute the principal plant required, and in this installation the College gave con- siderable assistance.

It should further be added that the timber work of the Imperial Institute is now carried on with the advice of a representative Committee, upon which every aspect of the timber trade of this country is represented. The Timbers Committee have considered the question of the work which should be delegated to other bodies and that which should be conducted at the Imperial Institute. It is considered essential that the mechanical tests should be conducted at the Imperial Institute under the supervision of the Committee.

In other subjects also the Report does not allude to the co-operation which has been estab- lished by the Imperial Institute with many other institutions. In food-stuffs, for example, much work has been done for the Imperial Institute by practical trials at agricultural colleges throughout the country. The work recently done at the instance of the Imperial Institute at the agricultural colleges of Wye and Cockle Park, and elsewhere, in connection with West African palm kernels and other materials is well known. Neither does the Committee recognise the large amount of work conducted for the Institute by manufacturers in their own laboratories and factories,

If all preliminary work on the technological side were to be delegated not only would there be a loss of efficiency, but it would be necessary to defray the expense of such delegation. As a matter of fact, the Committee have greatly exaggerated the expense of the plant required for this kind of work, which is an essential step in preparing the case for the manufacturer. That the work of the Institute has been effective and valuable in this branch there can be no question. It is true that later in the Report (paras. 16 and 17) there are important qualifica- tions as to the restrictions suggested in this direction, and it is stated that "the Committee consider it undesirable that the Instituteshould be altogether precluded from carrying out small- scale technological tests," and "that the limitation suggested would not involve any serious departure from the past practice of the Institute.”

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Lastly, it may be remarked that it is assumed (para. 12) that much of the increased expen- diture proposed by the Council for the Investigations Branch of the Institute relates to this technological work. This, however, is not the case, and the estimate did not include any large expenditure on plant for this purpose.

With regard to paras. 18 and 19, it is surely unfair to propose to restrict the development of the established work of the Institute because certain other bodies may now or in future desire to conduct it in part or in whole.

In connection with para. 18, it may be pointed out that if "overlapping" is to be elimin- ated it is clearly desirable that the established and successful work of the Imperial Instituta should, if necessary, be strengthened and extended, and that new agencies should not be en- couraged or endowed to overlap with it.

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Intelligence.

The Intelligence Branch is approved, and it is stated that witnesses, whose names are not given, have expressed the opinion that it has become the most important work of the Institute. The value of the pronouncement quoted in para. 23 cannot be gauged without know- ing the authority with which it was made. It is nowhere pointed out that the successful work of this Branch is principally due to its close association with the Investigations Branch, and that if the latter branch is weakened the former is bound to be injuriously affected. No recommendation for increased financial assistance for the Intelligence Branch is, however, made the reason being given that it is not yet known how far the Colonies would come into the scheme and assist to provide for it. It is well known to the Council that the Dominions recognise the value of the work of the Institute, but are waiting to see what further endowment the Imperial Government intends to provide before making proposals of their own. The work referred t has, however, at least as much importance for the British merchant and manufacturer and other users of raw materials in this country as it has for the producers overseas. Having regard to the acknowledged success of this branch of the Institute's work some additional grant might well have been suggested, leaving the Council to arrange for additional contributions from

overseas,

In suggesting that the Institute is not sufficiently in touch with the Dominions in its Intelligence work, the Committee are evidently unaware of recent developments or of the work of the Dominions Committees which were established under the new Act.

Although the need is admitted for further publication of intelligence, no recommendation is made for additional funds for publication, without which no extension is possible.

Exhibitions.

The exhibition work is commended and suggestions made for its extension. No proposal

is made for adequate financial support on the ground that the matter is "not urgent." It is, however, evident that the existing exhibition of the raw materials of the Empire has proved of great value in suggesting alternative sources of supply of materials urgently required during the War. After the War the matter will be of increased importance, but nothing further can be done without additional funds.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.

The tenour of the Report on the whole is to suggest limitations and restrictions in the work of the Institute.

It is clear that the Committee have not taken into account that, so far as raw materials are concerned, the Imperial Institute is working on a systematic plan which has achieved great success, and which cannot be broken up without its utility being destroyed, and that the scientific staff have acquired technical and commercial qualifications in order to carry the work to stages beyond that reached in an ordinary chemical laboratory, and to which this success is largely due. The extent to which the Institute co-operates with other institutions is not recognised, nor that such co-operation, if it is to be extended as it should be, involves consider- able additional work for the staff.

The report takes no account of the additional staff called for in connection with the new work imposed on the staff of the Institute as a result of the Act of 1916. It is necessary that the supervision of the preparation of reports and information required especially by the im- portant Technical Committees of the Institute should be undertaken by senior members of the staff. It is unfair that this new and arduous work should be imposed on a staff which is already overworked, without provision of additional assistance.

REQUEST FROM COLONIAL OFFICE FOR REVISED ESTIMATES.

The Secretary of State, in forwarding to the Council the Report of Mr. Hewins' Committee, stated that he is prepared, if necessary, to approach the Treasury on the basis of the Report. Ile requests the Council to present revised estimates for the present year on the basis of the recommendations made by the Committee, and having regard to possible economies in con- nection with technological work.

It has been pointed out that there is some misapprehension in the Committee's recomen. dations as regards this work; that there is not the overlapping suggested; no reductions are possible so far as the present technical staff and present operations are concerned.

The other recommendation of the Committee is that increases in the salaries of certain members of the staff should be made. It has been pointed out that this step by itself would do little to relieve the present difficulties of the Institute. Before any consideration is given to increases of salary, it seems desirable that certain fundamental questions connected with finances and with the revision of estimates should be considered,

As the Council pointed out in their report to the Secretary of State, the Institute is at present financed with great economy. Nevertheless, there has been in recent years an increas- ing deficit, which was estimated last year at over £3,000. So far these deficits on the estimates Jave been met, from balances representing the savings of previous years. This process, however,

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Intelligence.

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is approved, and it is stated that witnesses, whose names are e opinion that it has become the most important work of the ronouncement quoted in para. 23 cannot be gauged without know- it was made. It is nowhere pointed out that the successful work due to its close association with the Investigations Branch, and weakened the former is bound to be injuriously affected. No financial assistance for the Intelligence Branch is, however, made is not yet known how far the Colonies would come into the scheme It is well known to the Council that the Dominions recognise the ute, but are waiting to see what further endowment the Imperial le before making proposals of their own. The work referred to importance for the British merchant and manufacturer and other country as it has for the producers overseas. Having regard to his branch of the Institute's work some additional grant might aving the Council to arrange for additional contributions from

nstitute is not sufficiently in touch with the Dominions in its ttee are evidently unaware of recent developments or of the work which were established under the new Act.

itted for further publication of intelligence, no recommendation or publication, without which no extension is possible.

Exhibitions.

›mmended and suggestions made for its extension. No proposal

support on the ground that the matter is "not urgent." It is. ting exhibition of the raw materials of the Empire has proved of rnative sources of supply of materials urgently required during matter will be of increased importance, but nothing further can ads.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS.

on the whole is to suggest limitations and restrictions in the work

ittee have not taken into account that, so far as raw materials are tute is working on a systematic plan which has achieved great broken up without its utility being destroyed, and that the schnical and commercial qualifications in order to carry the work I in an ordinary chemical laboratory, and to which this success o which the Institute co-operates with other institutions is not beration, if it is to be extended as it should be, involves consider- taff.

int of the additional staff called for in connection with the new he Institute as a result of the Act of 1916. It is necessary that ation of reports and information required especially by the im- of the Institute should be undertaken by senior members of the w and arduous work should be imposed on a staff which is already

of additional assistance.

LOM COLONIAL OFFICE FOR REVISED ESTIMATES.

forwarding to the Council the Report of Mr. Hewins' Committee, necessary, to approach the Treasury on the basis of the Report. resent revised estimates for the present year on the basis of the ▸ Committee, and having regard to possible economies in con- rk.

at there is some misapprehension in the Committee's recommen- that there is not the overlapping suggested; no reductions are echnical staff and present operations are concerned.

n of the Committee is that increases in the salaries of certain made. It has been pointed out that this step by itself would do fficulties of the Institute. Before any consideration is given to sirable that certain fundamental questions connected with finances ates should be considered.

ut in their report to the Secretary of State, the Institute is at onomy. Nevertheless, there has been in recent years an increas d last year at over £3,000. So far these deficits on the estimates epresenting the savings of previous years. This process, however,

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Reference :-

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