20 president's address. 



be remembered that for economic use, gaseous fuel must not be charged 

 with the heavy costs of piping and distribution. 



The domestic fire problem is also one which claims our instant 

 attention. It is best grappled with from the point of view of 

 smoke. Although the actual loss of thermal energy in the form of 

 smoke is small — at most less than a half per cent, of the fuel consumed — 

 still the presence of smoke is a sign of waste of fuel and careless 

 stoking. In works, mechanical stokers which ensure regularity of firing 

 and complete combustion of fuel are more and more widely replacing 

 hand-firing. But we are still utterly wasteful in our consumption of 

 fuel in domestic fires. There is probably no single remedy applicable; 

 but the introduction of central heating, of gas fires, and of grates which 

 permit of better utilisation of fuel will all play a part in economising 

 our coal. It is open to argument whether it might not be wise to 

 hasten the time when smoke is no more by imposing a sixpenny fine 

 for each offence; an instantaneous photograph could easily prove the 

 offence to have been committed; and the imposition of the fine might 

 be delayed until three" warnings had been given by the police. 



Now I think that what I wish to convey will be best expressed by an 

 allegory. A man of mature years who has surmounted the troubles of 

 childhood and adolescence without much disturbance to his physical 

 and mental state, gradually becomes aware that he is suffering from 

 loss of blood; his system is being drained of this essential to life and 

 strength. What does he do? If he is sensible he calls in a doctor, 

 or perhaps several, in consultation; they ascertain the seat of the 

 disease and diagnose the cause. They point out that while con- 

 sumption of blood is necessary for healthy life, it will lead to a prema- 

 ture end if the constantly increasing drain is not stopped. They suggest 

 certain precautionary measures; and if he adopts them, he has a good 

 chance of living at least as long as his contemporaries ; if he neglects 

 them, his days are numbered. 



That is our condition as a nation. We have had our consultation in 

 1903 ; the doctors were the members of the Coal Commission. They 

 showed the gravity of our case, but we have turned a deaf ear. 



It is true that the self-interest of coal consumers is slowly leading 

 them to adopt more economical means of turning coal into energy. 

 But I have noticed and frequently publicly announced a fact which 

 cannot but strike even the most unobservant. It is this : When trade 

 is good, as it appears to be at present, manufacturers are making 

 money; they are overwhelmed with orders, and have no inclination to 

 adopt economies which do not appear to them to be essential, and the 

 introduction of which would take thought and time, and which would 

 withdraw the attention of their employes from the chief object of the 

 business — how to make the most of the present opportunities. Hence 



