REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. x¢ci 
not merely of representatives of Universities, but of all those interested 
in the objects which it will be the aim of the deputation to secure.’ 
The communication made in pursuance of the foregoing resolution by 
the President to the various universities, university colleges, and large 
organisations interested in educational science, was replied to so favour- 
ably by them that steps were taken to organise a deputation to the 
First Lord of the Treasury. 
A large and distinguished deputation, including representatives of all 
the universities, university colleges, and many county, municipal, and 
other educational authorities in the United Kingdom, was received by the 
Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer also being present, on 
July 15, at the House of Commons. Prior to the deputation a memo- 
randum had been drawn up by the President, and agreed to by the 
representatives of the principal universities, pointing out the necessity 
of a new departure on the part of the Government in relation to State 
Aid for Universities. This memorandum was forwarded to Mr. Balfour 
some days before the date of the deputation. The deputation was intro- 
duced by Sir Norman Lockyer. Mr. Peiham (representing Oxford) 
and Dr. Chase (Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge), on behalf of the older 
universities, and Mr. Chamberlain (Chancellor of the University of 
Birmingham), on behalf of the newer universities, addressed the Prime 
Minister, pointing out the need for much more liberal State aid being 
granted for purposes of higher education. Sir W. H. White and Sir W. 
Ramsay spoke of the importance of endowment of university teaching in 
relation to the application of science to the industries of the country. 
Sir R. Jebb mentioned the needs of the Humanity departments of 
universities. Sir Henry Roscoe discussed the importance of original 
research and its infiuence on our national well-being. Mr. A. Mosely, 
C.B., pointed out what was being done in other countries in practical 
university training for commercial and industrial life. Mr. Bell, M.P., 
spoke of the importance of university training being put within the 
reach, as regards expense, of the most promising minds in all classes of 
the community, so as to widen the area of selection for the higher 
activities of the nation. 
Mr. Balfour, in reply to the deputation, said that he did not suppose 
there had ever been congregated in one chamber so many representatives 
of learning in this country, and hoped that they would forgive him if he 
did not wholly rise to the expectations formed of the answer he had to 
give on behalf of the Government. The words of his which had been 
quoted would, he hoped, absolve him from the necessity of again express- 
ing sympathy with what he took to be the main object of the deputation. 
Though it has been said that we have failen far behind at least two great 
countries in our national education, he absolutely denied that there is the 
smallest sign that in the production of the germinating ideas of science 
we have shown any inferiority. Germany has for many generations 
pursued the State-endowing process of applying science to industry, and 
in this we are far behind. The system of thought in Germany, the habits 
of the people, and the Government, in this respect place them at great 
advantage as compared to us, as far as endowment of universities can 
help a naticn in the industrial struggle. But the mere endowment of 
universities will not, he thought, add greatly to the output of original 
work of the first quality.. It will provide an education which will render 
