ADDRESS 
BY 
Proressor Sir J. J. THOMSON, M.A., LL.D., D.So., F.R.S., 
PRESIDENT. 
TWENTY-FIVE years ago a great change was made in the practice of the 
British Association. From the foundation of our Society until 1884 its 
meetings had always been held in the British Isles; in that year, how- 
ever, the Association met in Montreal, and a step was taken which 
changed us from an Insular into an Imperial Association. For this 
change, which now I think meets with nothing but approval, Canada 
is mainly responsible. Men of science welcome it for the increased 
opportunities it gives them of studying under the most pleasant and 
favourable conditions different paris of our Empire, of making new 
friends; such meetings as these not only promote the progress of 
science but also help to strengthen the bonds which bind together the 
different portions of the King’s Dominions. 
This year, for the third time in a quarter of a century, we are meet- 
ing in Canada. As if to give us an object-lesson in the growth of 
Empire, you in Winnipeg took the opportunity at our first meeting in 
Canada in 1884 to invite our members to visit Manitoba and see for 
themselves the development of the Province at that time. Those who 
were fortunate enough to be your guests then as well as now are con- 
fronted with a change which must seem to them unexampled and 
almost incredible. Great cities have sprung up, immense areas have 
been converted from prairies to prosperous farms, flourishing industries 
have been started, and the population has quadrupled. As the 
President of a scientific Association I hope I may be pardoned if 
T point out that even the enterprise and energy of your people and 
the richness of your country would have been powerless to effect this 
change without the resources placed at their disposal by the labours of 
men of science. 
BY 
