802 Royal Colonial Institute. 



Sir Godfrey Lagden, K.C.M.G. (Deputy Chairman) : Late last week 1 learnt 

 from the Chairman of Council, Sir Bevan Edwards, that he would be present to-day 

 to make the customary statement and deliver his address in moving the adoption of 

 the Report and Accounts. But I am informed at very short notice that it is impossible 

 for him to attend. It is a matter of deep regret to us all that his illness prevents it, 

 and it is our earnest hope that his health will soon be restored. This sudden change 

 has left me no time to prepare any considered address, and I shall, therefore, only 

 attempt to touch briefly on some of the principal points which seem to demand 

 attention. I will refer first to the Statement of Receipts and Expenditure. 



Our revenue has increased satisfactorily and that is due to the welcome increase 

 of the number of Fellows. Oiu' expenditure is also larger, as might be expected, 

 because our activities have been wider, and as our numbers increase there are bound 

 to be gxeater demands upon us for staff, cost of printing, postages, and nearly every 

 other head of service. It will be seen that the Reserve Fund of £3,000 on bank 

 deposit appearing in the Accounts for 1911 has disappeared. It was appropriated 

 to pay for the reconstruction of the building and purchase of new furniture and 

 fittings. 



However, we resolved early last year, as a policy, to re-establish the Reserve Fund, 

 and started with a modest £250. At the end of the year we had a respectable balance 

 in hand and were enabled to set aside the substantial simi of £1 ,000, thus bringing the 

 total reserve to £1,250. The basis of allocation was to reserve approximately one- 

 half of the compounded subscriptions. This is a sound principle, which we hope 

 futm'e finance may always admit of our following. 



The Annual Report deals so fully with the work of the past year that there is no 

 occasion for me to do more than draw attention to one or two particular features. 

 Sir Bevan Edwards in his address last year stated that H.R.H. The Duke of Connaught 

 had graciously accepted office as Vice-Patron of the Institute, and indicated the desire 

 of the Council to elect as his successor in the Presidentship a working President. 

 By the happiest of chances Lord Grey had retm'ned to England, after completion of 

 his distinguished career in Canada, and consented to take the office. In so doing he 

 not only honoured our Institution, but immediately lent himself warmly to our work. 

 With his characteristic enthusiasm he entered whole-heartedly into the Institute life, 

 and both by suggestion and keen interest has stimulated and helped our activities. 

 Gentlemen, I assert with confidence; and you will, I am sure, all endorse heartily, that 

 by Lord Grey's close association with us we are strengthened and encouraged. 



One of the most important movements has been to adopt the course adumbrated 

 by Sir Bevan Edwards for the past two years in respect to the admission of a new 

 order of Men Associates, to regulate and confirm which an Extraordinary Meeting 

 of Fellows was lately called. This idea was suggested by Lord Grey over ten years 

 ago at an annual dinner, and he is now presiding at the first meeting after it comes 

 into operation. Probably every reform in pubhc Ufe offers some disadvantages as 

 well as advantages. But there is no reason to anticipate by the new order of 

 Associates any curtailment of the privileges of full Fellows, and then there is the great 

 object in view of enhsting the sympathy and support of a great body of Imperial- 

 minded men. 



Just prior to the printing of the Report the Council were completing arrange- 

 ments for essay competitions on an extensive scale. One series relating to Public 

 schools and universities with the object of creating there an atmosphere of Imperial 

 thought : another series of a high standard designed to draw contributions from 



