TRANSAjCTIONS OF SECTION E. 713 



and the land remains higher than the sea ; but what may fail unless timely pre- 

 cautions are taken is the power of utilising them for the benefit of the community 

 at large. Are the existing laws as to water-rights, and the absence of laws as to 

 the utilisation of wind desirable and satisfactory ? The usual answer to such 

 questions is, ' Why trouble about that just now ? These matters are not urgent, 

 other things are.' That argument is answerable for many disasters. The inevit- 

 able is in many if not in most cases simply another name for the unforeseen. It 

 is inevitable that the country will be impoverished if the utilisation of wind- and 

 water-power and the transport of that power by electricity are uot wisely safe- 

 guarded and provided for ; but when a survey of our resources, the circulation of 

 the air over our islands, and the ell'ects produced by the interposition of the moun- 

 tains, plateaus, and valleys upon it, plainly points to the possibility of such a 

 trouble, it only becomes inevitable as a result of culpable negligence. _ 



These two examples, which will not strike anyone whose mind is wholly oc- 

 cupied in paying the penalties of old neglect, illustrate my contention that a com- 

 plete geographical description based on full investigation is of the highest and 

 most urgent importance, not for this country only, but for the Empire, and for 

 every country in the world. 



Nor is it the land alone which claims attention. It is of the utmost importance 

 to investigate and evaluate the resources of the surrounding seas. _ The recent 

 International Conference for the exploration of the sea held at Christiania formu- 

 lated a scheme of research which has been taken up enthusiastically by Belgium, 

 Holland, Germany, Denmark, Russia, Sweden and Norway. Its object is to 

 place the fisheries of Northern Europe on a scientific basis, and to make for that 

 purpose a comprehensive survey of the sea, which will prove of high value to 

 meteorology, and through it to agriculture as well. The recent work by 

 Mr. 11. N. Dickson on the circulation of the surface waters of the North Atlantic 

 in conjunction with similar work by Professor Pettersson in Sweden shows how 

 hopeful such researches are from the purely scientific standpoint, and their practical 

 importance is no less. It remains with our Government to show that this 

 country is not indifferent to an opportunity, such as has never presented itself 

 before, of placing one of our great national industries on a basis of scientific 

 knowledge. This is in my belief one of the cases in which the expenditure of 

 thousands now will mean the saving of millions a few years hence. 



It is magnificent to send out polar expeditions ; they speak volumes for the 

 greatness of the human mind that can give itself to the advancement of knowledge 

 for the sake of linowledge, knowing that it will bring no material gain ; and I 

 trust that such a spirit will continue to manifest itself until no spot on Earth, no 

 land however coldor hot, no depth of sea, no farthest limit of the atmosphere 

 remains unsearched and its lesson unlearnt. But I insist that the full study of 

 our own country is on a totally different footing. Magnificent it may be, too, but 

 sternly practical, since it is absolutely essential for our future well-being, and even 

 for the continuance of the nation as a Power amongst the states of the world. 

 Still, there is every probability that such work will be neglected until the events 

 which it should avert are upon us, and then it will be too late to make provisions 

 which now could be done cheaply, easily, and effectively. 



A Proposed Remedy. 



The few attempts which have been made in this country to promote the study 

 of geography or to diminish the discouragements to geographical research have 

 had but slight success. Much has been done to improve geographical teaching 

 by the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the 

 Geographical Association, this Section of the British Association, and other 

 bodies ; but that is not my theme. I refer to the little that has been done 

 towards the elaboration of a geographical theory and the elucidation of 

 geographical proces.ses. Amongst the not inconsiderable number of teachers of 

 geography in the Universities and colleges of Great Britain there is not one 

 man who receives a salary on which he can live in decent comfort so as to 



