Science and the Government

Abstract

THE announcement in your last number of a rumour that the Government is about to withdraw its promise of aid to the Total Eclipse Expedition, seems to bring to a climax the relations of the Government towards science. We can hardly forget that one of the prominent members of the present ministry, and the one considered to have the special control over the spending of the public funds, is member for the University of London. Mr. Lowe was sent to Parliament, irrespective of party considerations, as the representative of a body which thinks it has some claim to a leading place among the scientific institutions of our country. Is it not worth while to consider whether the views of the graduates of London University are represented in the present attitude of the ministry, and whether some representation might not be made to the Government, through the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of the manner in which the present relations between the Government and science are regarded by his constituents?