393 



are neither large enough nor developed enough to have a 

 separate society for this purpose, but for England I think it 

 would be better to have a quite independent society concerned 

 only with tropical agriculture. 



In reply to a question from Dr. Heim, the President ex- 

 plained that the operations of the institute need not conflict 

 in any way with those of the International Association for 

 Tropical Agriculture. 



The resolution was then put to the meeting by the President, 

 and was carried unanimously. 



The PRESIDENT : Sir James Wilson has given notice of a 

 resolution which I will read : 



" That this Congress requests the International 

 Association for Tropical Agriculture (i) to take such 

 steps as it may find necessary or expedient to ensure 

 that the interests of tropical agriculture are given their 

 proper share of attention by the International Institute 

 of Agriculture at Rome, and more especially (2) to urge 

 upon the Governments of countries lying wholly or 

 partly within the tropics, which have not yet adhered to 

 the International Institute of Agriculture, the desirability 

 of their adhering without delay, in order to secure on 

 that body a due representation of tropical agriculture." 



I will call upon Sir James Wilson to speak to that resolu- 

 tion. 



Sir JAMES WILSON : Mr. President and Gentlemen In order 

 to prevent misapprehension, may I explain in the first place 

 that, although I have the honour of representing the British 

 Empire on the Permanent Committee of the International 

 Institute of Agriculture at Rome temporarily for the last few 

 months, I am not deputed here as a delegate from that 

 institute ? That institute has made up its mind that it will not 

 be represented by a delegate appointed by itself at any of these 

 congresses, but they have asked me to report what goes on 

 here which interests their work. I speak as a member of this 

 Congress, interested as we all are in the advancement of 

 tropical agriculture, and my special interest in that subject has 

 been due to my long service in India. 



Now if you look round the world and consider how we can 

 best aid and encourage tropical agriculture we find established 

 at Rome an International Agricultural Institute, which might, 

 at all events, be made use of for the benefit of tropical 

 agriculture. Perhaps you will let me explain to you some- 

 what at lengt'h what that institute is, as I think there is 

 considerable misunderstanding about it. It is an international 

 institute, and fifty-four Governments have adhered to the 



