204 president's address. — section g. 



one who in addition possesses administrative experience, command 

 of tho higher mathematical technique of statistics, and familiarity 

 with all branches of statistical compilation, as well as a wide range 

 of general knov/ledge. 



The value of the work of the Imperial Bureau will depend, very 

 often, upon the connexion between various successions of statistical 

 facts; for the great object of the Bureau will be to enable the 

 drift oi tho whole Empire and of each part thereof in relation 

 therewith, to be systematically studied and its future forecasted. 

 It is submitted that world-issues at the present time are such that 

 we must perforce analyze the drift of our past with the object 

 of gauging our future. Only in this way, perhaps, can we hope 

 to satisfactorily correct nationally adverse tendencies. In other 

 words, the larger statistics of the future must be the great 

 economic guide and helper of any nation that wishes to worthily 

 fulfil its mission and to attain to a noble destiny. 



12. Co7iclus?on. — The time has surely gone by when one can 

 hope for success from the policy of "Wait and See." Just as 

 statistics have been found helpful in business, so in national affairs 

 must fhey be able to guide political action by keeping it well 

 informed, and by pointing out the path on which it is necessary 

 to advance. The proposed British Empire Statistical Bureau 

 shows that there is an awakening. 



There is a new eilement that must be gauged statistically, the 

 conseqi^ences of the extraordinary revival of Marxism — from the 

 moral standpoint the least attractive O'f all the forms of Socialism 

 (according to Professor Nicholson). Already in Australia pro- 

 ductive efficiency has fallen, an ominous fact for a young nation 

 with a rich and large heritage, needing population. The trend 

 of our own development should be watched with concern by all 

 who are interested in the future of Australia. 



