PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. LVII 



joy went over the whole of our scientific community when we heard 

 that our invitation had been accepted by the British Association; 

 and that joy was all the greater when we learned later that the 

 visitors from the British Association would comprise leaders in 

 e^ery branch of science throughout the United Kingdom, and that 

 among them would be included Sir Charles Lucas. The Universi- 

 ties and science societies having thus moved the Government, Fede- 

 ral and State, to join in issuing the invitation, next approached 

 the Federal Government with a view to their voting the necessary 

 funds to defray the cost of the transit overseas of so large a number 

 of scientific visitors. With splendid foresight and liberality the 

 Federal Government voted the handsome sum of £15,000 for these 

 expenses; and it is a particularly pleasing feature m this connexion 

 that the question was treated as a purely non-party one, Mr. 

 Fisher and Mr. Deakin assisting each other in every way possible 

 to bring about this happy consummation. The Federal Govern- 

 ment being the hosts of the visiting Association, have recently 

 asked for the co-operation of the scientific workers in the various 

 States, in order to make all the necessary preliminary ai'rangements. 

 Each State is sending representatives to the Federal Council in 

 Melbourne, which comprises political as well as scientific represen- 

 tatives from every State of the Commonwealth, the Prime Minister 

 acting as chairman. The State Governments and municipalities 

 have unanimously promised every support. So far the whole 

 organization is working very smoothly. So much of its future 

 successful working depended upon the selection of the right man 

 to act as general secretary for the British Association, for organis- 

 ing their visit in Australia, that extreme care had to be exercised 

 in his selection. All, I feel sure, will agree that the choice could 

 not have fallen on a man who is more suitable in every way than 

 our newly-appointed general secretary, Mr. A. C. D. Rivett. All 

 that now remains is for each of us to work together with a will, in 

 order to make this approaching visit of the British Association a 

 real epoch-making event, not only in the history of Australian 

 science, but in that of Australasia. 



Universities. — University education is making rapid progress in 

 Australia. Apart from the continued expansion of the older 

 Australian Universities, one of which (Sydney) is nov/ commencing 

 to work under a new University Bill, which practically makes 

 education free in all schools of the University for deserving 

 students, there is the growth of the new University of Queens- 

 land, and the establishment of the University of Western Aus- 

 tralia to be considered. 



