[Letters to Editor]

Abstract

THE question of reorganising and developing scientific work in India discussed in the leading article in NATURE of February 19 is of the utmost importance to all concerned with the welfare and scientific reputation of the Empire. Now that there is a prospect of recognition by the Government of India and the Secretary of State of the necessity for increased expenditure on scientific investigation, it is essential that the new era should be inaugurated under the most favourable conditions. Two policies are apparently under consideration, which may be referred to respectively as centralisation and decentralisation; these are clearly defined in the article of February 19. The advantage of organising research within certain limits is generally admitted; facilities should be afforded for supplying information, for suggesting problems, and for the co-ordination of the activities of individuals or institutions, but it would seem that the policy of centralisation advocated by the Indian Industrial Commission, presided over by Sir Thomas Holland and “favoured by a number of administrators,” is much more than this. It is in short, a proposal to bring scientific investigation into line with routine official work—a procedure which, one learns with surprise, has the support of several scientific witnesses examined by the Commission. If there is one thing vital for the successful prosecution of scientific research of the best type and for the encouragement of the full development of a researcher's capacity, it is freedom of action.