RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT 243 



years, intermitted two annual meetings (1917-18), 

 But its other activities were by no means in abey- 

 ance at that time. Research committees remained at 

 work, some of them engaged upon subjects of national 

 importance and upon inquiries directly inspired by 

 war conditions. Such were the economic inquiries 

 into the effects of the war on the national credit, 

 currency, finance, exchanges, and labour conditions, 

 to which reference has already been made (p. 206). 

 The vital question of fuel economy was another topic 

 taken up by a committee. The disruptive effects 

 of the war upon international relations in science 

 led to the consideration, at this period, of measures 

 for the improvement of scientific organisation at 

 home in various special directions. Thus the 

 Association set on foot an inquiry into facilities 

 for the study of geodetic and geophysical problems. 

 Although the much-needed establishment of a per- 

 manent institution for this object could not be effected, 

 a committee of the Association did valuable work in 

 1918-19 in arranging meetings for the discussion of 

 papers and reports on geophysical subjects, and co- 

 operating ' with existing committees in making 

 recommendations for the promotion of the study of 

 such subjects in the British Empire.' This passed 

 more appropriately under the control of a geo- 

 physical committee appointed by the Royal Astrono- 

 mical Society, with representation of other societies 

 interested. The Association's power of initiation is 

 here illustrated afresh. 



In 1919 the Association resumed full activity 

 with a very successful meeting at Bournemouth, 

 a place which had never before acted as our host. 

 At this and the following meeting (Cardiff, 1920), 



