Museums and the State

Abstract

THE timely leading article which appeared in NATURE of March 11 raises the very important question of the future administration of the national museums and art galleries of this country. With the main recommendations of the article I am in complete agreement. There is little doubt that the administration of the national museums and art galleries on federal lines from a central Government Department would make for greater efficiency and economy, obviate considerable overlapping, and lead to the fuller use and development of the unique collections housed within their walls. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has already assumed control of the Museum of Practical Geology, and the machinery, therefore, for the administration of the whole of our national museums is already in existence, and only requires adapting and expanding.