PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS—SECTION E. 113 
Australasian federation? Geographically, I say they naturally 
connect with our continent, and I predict they must fall under 
the sway of the power that is best able, by every natural and 
material advantage, to bring them within the pale of and make 
them amenable to the march of civilisation. Before turning 
from our own immediate region, there is another, not very remote, 
in which we are deeply concerned, and which must not be over- 
looked. I refer to the Antarctic, a subject upon which a great 
deal has been heard of lately, unfortunately with no practical 
results at present, beyond the formulation of a scheme for 
exploration and investigation—one in which our Victorian 
friends have evinced especial interest. Apart from the utilitarian 
aspect of Antarctic research, as applying to commercial geo- 
graphy, questions will arise as to whether or not our climate is 
influenced by the ice-bound regions of the south. It would be 
illogical, while admitting the modifying influences of the warm 
currents of the Gulf Stream upon the climate of Southern Europe 
and other parts, to at the same time regard with indifference the 
possible influence of the cold Antarctic polar drift currents upon 
the climate of New Zealand, Tasmania, and the southern parts 
of the Australian continent. 
It is not a difficult matter, in terrestrial physics, to give an 
estimate of the results brought about by the contact, or what 
may be termed overlapping, of hot and cold currents ; and that 
the necessary conditions of condensation are thus brought about 
by the contact of cold Antarctic currents with the super-heated 
equatorial currents of our continent, there can, I submit, be no 
doubt. It therefore behoves us, as Australasians, apart from 
the commercial considerations of the subject, which must, how- 
ever, be considerable, to investigate these agencies, bearing as 
they do so materially upon our climate, the conditions of which 
so seriously influence our existence, and thus enable us to apply 
the knowledge so gained to an endeavour, if possible, to ameliorate 
to some extent the effects of recurring droughts which operate so 
disastrously upon the welfare of our country. 
Turning to the other regions of the globe, we find the greatest 
energy and enterprise everywhere actively displayed, evidencing 
the extent to which the value and importance of the closest and 
most detailed investigation of the unknown or unsettled portions 
are feverishly regarded, whether as presenting fields for scientific 
discovery and possible colonisation for the ever-increasing surplus 
population of the densely-peopled countries of Europe, or for 
the expansion of commerce, daily increasing in keenness of 
competition. 
Upon the great continent of Africa, for so long the chief field, 
as, alas! also the grave of so many illustrious heroes, of explora- 
tion, the tide of exploratory investigation has, as usual, set 
strongly. Foremost here are the wonderful exploits of that most 
H 
