Science in Public Affairs 



of scientific methods, and whether the Mother 

 Country is alive to it in the development of the 

 colonies for which the responsibility has not been 

 transferred. But there is also an interesting group 

 of activities which does not come under one or 

 other of these categories. It may be characterised 

 as general action for the common welfare of the 

 whole, and, while it will be found that there is 

 much to commend, it is also true that much re- 

 mains to be done. 



This is obviously the case in regard to Imperial 

 Organisation and Imperial Defence, problems which 

 must be left to others who have more space at their 

 command, but which as urgently demand a scien- 

 tific solution as any of the humdrum affairs of 

 everyday life. The claim is also made for Mr. 

 Chamberlain's proposals that they aim at adjust- 

 ing the internal fiscal relations of the Empire on 

 a scientific basis. But, here again, the limitations 

 of space are prohibitive, particularly to one who 

 denies the soundness of this policy. There are, 

 however, other aspects of commercial intercourse 

 to which this objection does not apply. 



The machinery by which the various parts of 

 the Empire are made acquainted with each other's 

 commercial requirements, was, until recently, most 

 inadequate, and is not yet properly organised. 

 There were, indeed, periodical exhibitions of pro- 

 ducts. Colonial exhibitions have been held in 

 London and a few provincial cities. English manu- 

 facturers have exhibited their goods in the colonies. 

 A Congress of Chambers of Commerce of the 



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