CORRESPONDING SOCIETIES. 841 
increasing tho output of a literature which is already overwlhiclming, and 
multiplying centres of publication when every effort is desirable for their 
greater concentration. 
Mr. J. A. Longden (Institution of Mining Engineers) said the 
matter appeared to him to be a question of pounds, shillings, and 
pence, and he knew their late Secretary had been very anxious that the 
Postmaster-General should put scientific postage on the same rate per pound 
as any other printed matter. The Institution he represented had 3,000 
members, and the contribution was two guineas per annum, and to 
meet deficiency the subscription had recently been raised. Any saving 
effected by this method would undoubtedly assist in the publication of good 
papers. As to the suggestion that a Government grant should be obtained, 
Professor Milne told him that a few years ago the Government granted 
1007. per annum towards the cost of his wonderful records in the Isle of 
Wight, and a Board of Trade official went to see him, and told him what 
the requirements of the Board of Trade would be in consideration of the 
grant named. The Professor said he begged to decline the grant, and 
thought he knew best how to carry on his work. The speaker thought this 
1007. per annum now went to Germany. The difficulty is that the Post- 
master-General will not be willing to reduce his receipts voluntarily, and 
on the other hand the Government will not make grants without attaching 
conditions. He suggested that the Postmaster-General be pressed in common 
fairness to accede to this request. 
Mr. Balfour Browne suggested that the spirit of Socialism was invading 
the scientific societies since it was proposed to ask for State aid for the pub- 
lication of their papers. He was entirely opposed to this step, and 
considered it unnecessary. The local societies publish a good many 
papers which are quite outside their scope; for instance, the Norfolk 
and Norwich Naturalists’ Society published a few years ago papers on the 
‘Butterflies of Switzerland,’ and there are numerous similar examples. 
These societies could save expenses on this sort of paper. So long as there 
is sufficient energy in a district to keep a society going that society will 
not go bankrupt, and it is most advisable that if the interest wanes the 
‘society should be allowed to die, and should not be kept alive by outside aid. 
A good paper can always find a publisher, and the cure for the present state 
of poverty of some of the societies is the cutting out of papers which have 
nothing to do with the work of the local society. 
Mr. Whitaker said that the discussion under the last speakers seemed to 
him to have largely gone off the point. The Committee, in their proposal, 
had certainly no idea of subsidising presidential addresses. What was 
wanted was help for only important papers, and although the Government 
grant to the Royal Society was available to outside societies it was so small 
that it had to be largely used for publishing the research-papers of the Royal 
Society itself. 
Mr. H. D. Acland (Royal Institution of Cornwall) thought that 
it appeared to have been forgotten that there are two classes of 
scientific societies, large central and small local ones. Small local 
ones should be self-supporting. Papers worthy of publication could 
he read before large societies, if accepted by them. Societies should be very 
chary of accepting grants from the State, as it would involve State control. 
Papers worth publishing by State aid should be State Papers. 
Mr. William Watts (Geological and Mining Institution of Man- 
chester) said the publication fund under discussion had been considered by 
his Council, who saw difficulties in obtaining a grant from the Government in 
carrying on the work of the society, but would be glad if some concessions 
could be made to them in reducing the cost of transmitting the society’s pro- 
ceedings through the Post Office. His society was not directly in want of 
funds, as the members’ subscriptions maintained them, but an easement in 
