128 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS — SECTION D. 



the " Native yuestion," such as we see in the Press, biif accurate 

 investigation into special phases of the history and hfe of the 

 people, and into the relations and interactions of the races in 

 the many dilTerent conditions of our civilisation in which they 

 come into contact. P'rom time to time monographs do appear in 

 our Proceedings, and most valuable many of these are, but more 

 are wanted, especially on the economic side, and certainly more 

 co-ordination among those who are vnidertaking these studies. 

 In addition to private study, and the encoiu-agement of associa- 

 tions, it may be suggested that special courses be prepared suit- 

 able for schools, such as the history and folklore of native tribes, 

 and instruction in the proper treatment of natives. Also that 

 nmch more attention be given to Ethnology and comparative Soci- 

 ology, with special reference to South Africa, by examining 

 bodies and the Universities. 



We must remember also that howcx-er much individuals or 

 associations may study the subject, the practical application of 

 the knowledge gained under our system of Government lies in 

 the hands of the electors, and unless the knowledge obtained by 

 specialists can l)e made axailable to these our rulers, unless they 

 are persuaded that action thereon is, in the national interest, 

 study will end as study, and be of little practical value. 



The first step then is to study the whole ([uestion of race 

 relations in a scientific spirit. 



The next is to convey to the public the broad results which 

 have been attained by that study, and the third ( which may be 

 regarded as contemporaneous with the second), is to collect and 

 co-ordinate all the knowdedge acquired in such a form that it is 

 possible to frame a polic}- thereon, and place it before Parliament 

 and Government in such a manner that attention must l)e given 

 to it. 



Plere I trench upon politics, but before I conclude, I must 

 rejjeat what I have often said, and again advocate a course which 

 is to my mind a step with possibilities for much good. 



There should be established by law a Council of Europeans, 

 whose duty and status should be clearly defined by statute. This 

 duty should be to study the whole question of race relations and 

 interactions. They would collect and co-ordinate the mass of 

 loose information now in the Union, would keep in touch with 

 the points at which the races came into contact, and note the 

 effects thereof, and advise Government with regard to possible 

 legislation and impix)vements in adininistration. An authority 

 would thus be established to which Parliament and Goveinnient 

 could lo(jk for accurate information. Also under legal sanc- 

 tion this authority should have the power to direct the attention 

 of Government t(j dangers ahead and suggest remedies therefor 

 with a force uhicli must command attention. It may then Ije 

 hoped that legislation and administration will be on scientilic 

 lines; on an accurate knowledge of the facts and reasonable and 

 logical deductions from those facts. 



