190 



REPOBTS OK THE STATE OF SCIENCE. — 19] 6. 



Nor has Canada lagged behind lier neighbour, as is proved by the 

 recent exhaustive ' Investigation of the Coals of Canada witli refei'ence 

 to their Economic Qualities,' conducted at the McGill University, 

 Montreal, under the authority of the Dominion Government, and 

 published in the years ]912 and 1913 by the Department of Mines in 

 six imposing volumes. No such comprehensive investigations have ever 

 been undertaken in this country, where they are much needed. The 

 Committee is of opinion that the example of the United States and 

 Canada might be followed with advantage to the industrial community 

 by the Government of Great Britain, and that representations should 

 be made with the object of inducing the Government to provide adequate 

 funds in aid of further researches and investigations upon the chemical 

 character of the principal British coal seams, the best means for their 

 future development in the national interest, and upon problems of fuel 

 economy, including the utilisation of all the by-products obtainable 

 from coal. 



The rapid increase during recent years in the world's demands for 

 coal is shown by the following approximate figures covering the ten 

 years' period immediately preceding the outbreak of war: — 



Approximate total 

 Year Millions of Tons 



1903 800 



1908 1,000 



1913 1,250 



From these figures it would appear tliafc, during the period in 

 question, the world's demands have continuously increased at a com- 

 pound int.erest rate of nearly 5 per cent, per annum. Another 

 important fact is that these demands have been principally met by 

 three countries, namely, the United States, Great Britain, and Ger- 

 many, which, between them, have hitherto annually raised 83 per cent, 

 of the total anthracite and l)ituminous coals consumed in the world. 

 This being so, it is of interest to compare the relative rates of increase 

 in the coal productions of these three countries during recent years, 

 which may best be deduced from a comparison of quinquennial averages 

 over a period of fifteen j^ears, from 1900-1914 inclusive, as follows: — 



Cnal PrnctucilonR nj the United Staies, Great Britain, and Cermany- 

 Quinqvennial Averages 1900 to 1914. 



' Excluding Lignites and Brown Coals. 



