162 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS—SECTION G. 
given way and become extinct, or almost so, before the advance 
of civilization, but in no case, I think, has the progress of 
extinction been so rapid. 
It seems, therefore, in reviewing the present position of the 
aboriginal race of Australia, to be a great duty we owe to them 
and to Australia, not only to try to preserve the race from 
extinction, but also to preserve their history, laws, habits, 
traditions, and language, as far as is possible, and there is still 
sufficient time to do this as regards the interior of the continent. 
I can only now, in these few words, urge upon all who have 
the means and the opportunity to use every endeavour to collect 
reliable information on this subject, for however unimportant 
particular details may appear, they may eventually prove of great 
value in dealing with the history of the aboriginal Australian 
race, 
