THE FEDERATION OF BRITISH AUSTRALASIA. 907 
and if the migrators do not quit the island, kingdom, or empire, 
the general weal is not diminished, as the improvement of the 
condition of the migrators benefits the whole community ; but if 
they quit their native country to reside in a foreign land, the 
strength of those who remain is diminished, while the young and 
the aged, the feeble and the indigent, are thrown for support on 
the reduced resources and increasing care of those who have not 
migrated. Moreover, it can never be the true policy of a nation 
to strengthen a neighbouring or rival state by the addition of 
skilful artisans, while the nation is becoming daily weaker from 
the additions thus made to the power of its neighbour.” 
Towards its conclusion the paper refers, by analogy, to geology 
and astronomy, and does not see why the horizon of political 
economists should not also be extended backwards or forwards a 
few hundred years if need be, to see the working of the political 
economic principles—and, remembering that principles are eternal, 
contrast what has happened with what may be expected to come 
to pass. Compare the United States of 1776 with 1897, whose 
population has increased from three millions to seventy-two 
millions in 121 years—and contrast Great Britain, a.p. 1066, 
with the British Empire, a.p. 1897. . What may therefore not be 
expected of a federation of British Australasia as years go by 4 
Ny 9.—STATE AID TO AGRICULTURE AND 
INDUSTRY. 
By H. L. E. Rurunise. 
(Read Wednesday, 12 January, 1898.) 
No. 10.—NOTES ON A STATISTICAL COMPARISON 
OF THE AUSTRALIAN RAILWAYS WITH THE 
CANADIAN RAILWAYS. 
By W. WALKER. 
(Read Wednesday, 12 January, 1898.) 
