54 Royal Colonial Institute. 



stimiilate, and assist Britisli oommercial and industrial interests, with special regard 

 to their Imperial aspect as elements and factors of Imperial union. It is, therefore, 

 auxiliary to and not in conflict with other organisations working for the development 

 of British trade interests. 



XVII.— CITY LUNCHEONS. 



In connection with the work of the Empire Trade and Industry Committee, the 

 mid-day luncheons in the City, when leading authorities from Overseas contribute 

 interesting addresses on trade and other subjects, continue to prove most successful. 

 They have been largely attended, and the subjects dealt with have proved of con- 

 siderable interest. The following is a list of guests and the subjects dealt with in 

 1913 :— 



"British Columbia, its Resources and Opportunities." By W. E. Scott (Deputy 

 Minister of Agriculture, British Columbia). 



" New Zealand." By Arthur M. Myers (Ex-Minister of Finance and Defence, New 

 Zealand). 



"The Oil Fields of Canada, with special reference to Alberta." By E. H. 

 Cimningham Craig, B.A., F.G.S. 



" Queensland." By Hon. Digby F. Denham (Premier of Queensland). 



XVIII.— INFORMATION BUREAU. 



An' Information Bureau has been organised as a department of the Institute with 

 two distinct purposes in view : namely, to deal with inquiries made personally or by 

 letter to the Institute, and to distribute information concerning the resources and 

 opportunities for trade and enterprise that exist in the Overseas Dominions of the 

 Empire. 



Reviewing shortly the first purpose of the Bureau, inquiries will be answered 

 from the information at the disposal of the Institute concerning : (a) The resources 

 and opportunities for trade, enterprise and employment in the Overseas Dominions 

 of the Empire. For this work there will be a distribution to applicants of official 

 pamphlets of the self-governing Dominions, and the publications of Crown Colony 

 Governments, Chambers of Commerce, Boards of Trade Overseas, and such official 

 and semi-official literature, (b) Empire transportation and inter-communication. 

 For this work, circulars, time-tables, and pamphlets will be available for distribution, 

 (c) The facilities and amenities of life in the Mother Country. This branch of the work 

 is for the convenience of Non-Resident Fellows and Associates of the Institute visiting 

 the Mother Country, and will include the giving of practical information (not advice) 

 concerning educational facilities, medical treatment, hotels and such like accommoda- 

 tion, amusements, places of interest to visit, &c. Another part of the work of the 

 Bureau is of a more active and enterprising character. As a result of preliminary 

 steps taken some months ago the Municipalities of the principal cities in the Overseas 

 Dominions have agreed to furnish, from time to time, to the Information Bureau early 

 notification of sanctioned expenditure upon Municipal work, involving contracts 

 within and purchase of material, &c., outside their respective Dominions. The 

 Bureau will undertake to forward such information to those British firms who have 

 previously notified that they are desirous of receiving it. 



