36 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION A. 



speaking peoples. It would also show that Australia recognised her 

 responsibilities and her opportunities, and had taken her place 

 amongst the nations of the world, at any rate in the realms of 

 science. 



The project was also supported by : — The Governor of Victoria, 

 Sir John Madden, K.C.M.G. ; Sir George Reid, K.C.M.G. ; Pro- 

 fessors David, Pollock, and Henderson, and by Mr. Baracchi, Mr. 

 Hunt and Dr. Duffield. 



A cable (supporting the project) from Sir J. J. Thomson 

 (President of the British Association), Sir George Darwin (Vice- 

 President of the Royal Society) and Sir Joseph Larmor (Secretary 

 Royal Society) was received too late to be read at the meeting. 



The following resolution was carried unanimouslj^ : — ' ' That 

 the establishment of a Solar Observatory is desirable, and that the 

 Federal Government be strongly urged to assume the responsibiUty 

 of carrying it into effect." 



The above resolution was presented to the Prime Minister (Mr. 

 Deakin), who, after the matter had been considered b}/ the Cabinet, 

 stated : — 



" To-day the Cabinet considered the question of establishing 

 a Solar Observatory in Australia, recognising the obligation of the 

 Commonwealth to take its part in this great scientific work, which 

 is of world-wide interest, and possesses also some special interest 

 in its inferred relation to climatic changes. Tire Cabinet has 

 approved of a proposal, for submission to Parliament, which will 

 provide for the maintenance of such an observatory situated at a 

 suitable spot in the interior of the continent. 



" The idea of the Government is to maintain the institution, but 

 the cost of construction and equipment, if fully adequate to the task 

 of research, would probably amount to al:>out £10,000. It is con- 

 sidered probable that one or more of the wealthy men of Australia 

 might undertake this cost, in order to secure the establishment of 

 such an institution. 



" The cost of conducting the Observatory, it is calculated, 

 will be about £1,500 per annum for the earliest years, with probably 

 an expanding outlay as the work develops." 



The reply of the Minister for Home Affairs of the first Fisher 

 Ministry (April 1, 1909), referred to above, was that " He reaUsed 

 the importance of the plea for an Australian Observatory, and that 

 the financial aid required was probably disproportionate to the 

 value of the scientific records sought to be secured. He thought 

 ParUament would not be less public spirited than private citizens, 

 and would probably give pound for pound to the erection and 

 equipment fund, and might maintain the Observatory after its 

 establishment." 



The matter has thus received the assent of the two Ministries 

 which have controlled the affairs of the Commonwealtli since this 

 scheme was brought forward. Both have relied upon the financial 

 assistance which might be accorded to the scheme. 



