PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 465 
Foremost among these is contact between nations in differing stages of develop- 
ment. So much has been said of the economic aspects of this as it occurs 
between two particular types of countries that any summary would entail repeti- 
tion, and repetition would be tiresome. But the subject might well be treated 
in much greater detail and with reference to nations and people of more kinds 
than these, and to the more general social and political features and results. 
No modern country, and in particular no new country, can escape the influence 
of external factors controlling or deflecting or retarding the course of its 
orderly evolution. These forces operate under different conditions, and the 
consequences which ensue vary greatly. Sometimes nations standing at almost 
opposite extremes are brought into close relations. The matter is further 
complicated when political relations exist between the countries in question. 
To deal much further with this matter is hardly possible at the present time. 
Still, two things should be added. On the one hand, nations exercising 
political control over other countries and races, and particularly over countries 
and races less advanced in general civilisation and often marked off from them 
by racial characteristics, bear a heavy burden of responsibility. The very rela- 
tionship stimulates growth in the subject people, and yet it may well be that 
such growth may be so premature and so out of congruity with essential con- 
ditions as to call for measures which may retard rather than encourage it. On 
the other hand, it is the duty of the historian, and particularly of the historian 
who is an economist also, to disentangle the various influences interacting, co- 
operating, or conflicting in the evolution of the social and economic life of a 
country, and to make due allowance for forces which work obscurely and in a 
very subtle way. Secondly, the effects of sheer rapidity in growth must not be 
overlooked. The application of modern and more scientific methods to rich 
latent resources is sure to operate in this direction, and it may be assisted 
by other causes. Certain consequences are almost inevitable. Not only is the 
national spirit and type affected, particularly in the economic aspect, but with 
the denial of the time requisite for the orderly and stable evolution of custom 
a great call is made’on the innate qualities of the race concerned if true progress 
is to be achieved and its fruits secured. Lastly, to a nation in the early stages 
of development, the spectacle and record of the experiences of other nations 
which have trodden the like paths, though under other conditions, mean a great 
deal. There is much to imitate as well as much to avoid, and, what is still] 
more important, there is much to learn. 
But whilst I say this, I would not have you think that an old country has 
little to learn from those which are younger. It is true that it cannot retrace 
its steps, and that the opportunity furnished is different in character. Still, as 
an economist from the older country, I would say that we expect to gain much 
for our guidance from the bold attempts made on this side to grapple with 
problems many of which, though differing in their setting, are the same in 
essence as those which meet us at home. Neither on one side nor the other is it 
a question of mere imitation. Hach country has its own destiny to fulfil and 
must traverse its own course. The experience of others exhibits the connection 
between cause and effect, and those profit the most from example who dis- 
criminate wisely and best adapt its teaching to their particular conditions, 
The following Papers were then read :— 
1. Town Planning in relation to the Community. 
By Wiuu1am R. Davince. 
Modern Legislation.—The English ‘ Town Planning’ Act of 1909 has focussed 
public attention on the subject, but this Act was long preceded by the Italian, 
Swedish, and Prussian Town Planning Acts, all of which provide not only for 
town extensions and new streets being laid out on the lines prescribed by the 
municipal authority, but also give the authorities much greater powers of 
purchase or expropriation. 
Buildings.—In most cases different parts of a town require special treatment, 
and in German town planning practice it is customary to divide the town area 
1914, HH 
