Science and Development in the Pacific Area

Abstract

THE Seventh Pacxfo Science Congress met at Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand, during February 2-22,under the auspices of the Royal Society of New Zealand and its president, Dr. R. A. Falla, who presided over the Congress. The secretary-general Yas Dr. Gilbert Archey, director of the Aucklandid Museum, and Prof. R. S. Allan was chairman^ of the Christchurch committee. The New Zealand Government extended invitations to forty-eight countries represented in the Pacific Science Association, to the South Pacific Commission and Health Service and the specialized agencies of the United Nations and the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East. About 220 delegates attended from overseas, and some 150 from New Zealand. Earlier Congresses have been held in Hawaii (1920), Australia (1923), Japan (1926), Java (1929), British Columbia (1933), California (1939). Their purpose has been to initiate discussions on scientific topics of special significance to the Pacific area and of importance to the welfare of its peoples. Sessions of the present Congress were devoted to discussions of major problems, particularly those demanding close co-operation between sciences and between countries, and the formulation of further research plans required to secure these aims.