Anthropological

Research.

THE importance attached to anthropo logical research by scientists is not shared by various Australian govern ments, most of which have refused or cut down their grants to the advance ment of the science so much that the chair of anthropology at the University of Sydney is in danger of being discon tinued.

Since 1927, the Rockefeller Institute has made grants totalling 105,000 dol lars to the Australian National Research Council for the purpose of carrving out field work and research in anthropology in Australia and the Pacific Islands. Now there is a chance of further grants be ing refused if the chair is not main tained.

Scientists agree that, if only from a humanitarian point of view, the study of the causes of depopulation in the Pacific Islands should be continued, but it looks as if whole races of natives may die out while our typical politicians fritter away on useless and unrepro ductive works, money that would be far better spent on developing the Pacific peoples.

Dr. Raymond Firth, formerly Profes sor of Anthropology, resigned from the University last month to take up work at the University of London. Dr. A. P.

Elkin has been appointed in his place.