The Third Report of the Committee of the Privy Council
for Scientific and Industrial Research shows that in the past year much has been done to initiate schemes of research either of a general character or for the benefit of special industries. The new Depart- ment acts in a businesslike way. It appoints an expert committee to investigate the problems connected with fuel or food, timber or industrial fatigue, supplies the necessary funds and awaits results. It persuades the leading firms in an industry, like the cotton trade or the woollen trade, to establish an industrial research association for the benefit of the whole trade, and it makes grants in aid of the work. The Department also helps approved investigations, con- ducted by institutions or private scientists, that seem likely to be of commercial value. In fact, the Department is trying methodically to bring science to bear upon industry. Its work is not sensational and does not lend itself to advertisement. But it is of supreme im- portance to the nation.
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