124 Sir Frederick Abel [April 22, 



The system of correspondence to which I have more than once 

 alluded in indicating some of the work of the Institute, in relation 

 to technical education and industry, and which will form a most 

 important part of the main groundwork of its organisation, is not in 

 the least theoretical in its character. Its possible development has 

 suggested itself to many who have given thought to the future sphere 

 of action of the Institute in connection with commerce and industry ; 

 to myself, who for many years have been, from time to time, officially 

 cognizant of the work performed by what are called the Intelligence 

 Departments of the Ministries of War abroad and at home, the direct 

 and valuable bearing of such a system upon the work of the Institute, 

 suggested itself as soon as I gave thought to the possible future of this 

 great conception, and to Major Fitzgerald Law belongs the credit of 

 suggesting that the well-tried macliinery of the War Office Intelligence 

 Department should serve as a guide for the elaboration of a Commercial 

 Intelligence Department. This Department, which will, it is hoped 

 ere long commence its operations by establishing relations with the 

 chief Colonies and India, will be in constant communication with the 

 Enquiry Offices to be attached to the local commercial establishments 

 and to other provincial representations of the work of the Institute, 

 systematically distributing among them the commercial information 

 and statistics continually collected. It will be equally valuable to the 

 Colonies and India by bringing their requirements thoroughly to the 

 knowledge of the business men in the United Kingdom, and by main- 

 taining that close touch and sympathy between them and the people 

 at home which will tend to a true federation of all parts of the 

 Empire. 



In no more important direction is this system destined to do use- 

 ful work than in the organisation of emigration, not only of labour, 

 but also of capital. The establishment of emigration enquiry offices 

 at provincial centres in connection with a central department at the 

 Institute, will be of great service to the intending emigrant, by 

 placing within his reach the power of acquiring indisj)ensable in- 

 formation and advice, and by facilitating his attainment of the special 

 knowledge or training calculated to advance his prospects in the new 

 home of his choice. Similarly, the capitalist may be assisted in dis- 

 covering new channels for enterprise in distant portions of the 

 Empire, the resources of which are aw^aiting development by the 

 judicious application of capital and by the particular class of emigra- 

 tion which its devotion to public works or manufacturing enterprise 

 in the Colonies would carry wdtli it. The extent to which the State 

 may aid in the organisation of systematic emigration, and the best 

 mode in which it may, without burden to the Country, promote the 

 execution of such public works in the Colonies as will open up their 

 Dominions to commerce and at the same time encourage the par- 

 ticular class of emigration most advantageous to the Colonies 

 themselves, are subjects of great present interest ; but, in whatever 

 way these imj^ortant questions may be grappled with, such an or- 



