pboceedings of section g, 54t 



8. Conclusion. 

 It should be I'emembered that statistical bureaux do not pro- 

 pose to solve social or economic problems, nor can they bring direct 

 returns in a material way to the citizens of a country. Their work 

 must be classed among educational efforts, and by careful investi- 

 gation, and the maintenance of a strictly judicial attitude, they 

 may, and should, enable the people to more clearly and more fully 

 comprehend many of the complex problems that are daily becom- 

 ing more pressing. One direction in which the work of the new 

 branch should directly result in substantial saving is that it should 

 obviate the necessity for the investigation by Royal Commissions 

 of various questions, such, for example, as questions concerning 

 prices, cost of living, wages, &c. 



It need hardly be said that the work of a statistical office is 

 not in any way concei'ned with the advocacy of, or opposition to- 

 wards, questions touching the conditions of the workers. Its busi- 

 ness is to collect information bearing forcibly and emphatically 

 upon the conditions of labour, and tending to enlighten the public 

 in regard to these conditions. This consideration leads to the in- 

 ference that the best interests of statistical bureaux, and of the 

 industrial forces of a country, demand that statistical investiga- 

 tions, such as are within the province of the labour and industrial 

 branch, must be controlled by one mind, free from the exigencies 

 of party politics, and must not be complicated by the tide of party 

 majorities. 



9. THE DEVELOPMENT OF IMPERIAL RELATIONS. 



By F. W. Eggletton. 



10. THE WASTEFULNESS OF ARMAMENTS. 

 By W . Siebenhaar. 



S 2 



