180 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 



firms is bound to be reflected in practical improvements and general 

 progress. 



One has got the impression that more encouragement is required to 

 be given to Research Students in Engineering to enable full advantage 

 to be taken of the excellent training facilities offered by our Universities 

 and so that a sufficient number of recruits may be forthcoming. 



Development of another kind is rapidly overtaking the laissez-faire 

 policy of past years. The Electrical Development Association, under 

 the direction of Mr. J. W. Beauchamp, is making known by educative 

 processes and by practical demonstrations the most efficient manner in 

 which to use electricity for all kinds of purposes. Both classes of develop- 

 ment — scientific research on the one hand, commercial application and 

 intelligent use on the other — are bound to benefit greatly the whole 

 industry of electricity supply and the people. The most liberal support 

 and encouragement must be afforded by all electricity-supply authorities. 



In 1925 the -first World Power Conference was convened in London 

 and was attended by leading engineers and scientists from all parts of 

 the British Empire and the world. A series of valuable papers was 

 submitted on fuel resources, water-power, electrical methods of trans- 

 mission, and many other cognate subjects. The value of such a gathering 

 cannot be over-estimated, and the success of this first conference was so 

 marked that further conferences are to be arranged and will assemble in 

 other capitals from time to time. The good work thus begun will be 

 continued. 



Such is a brief review of the possible future develo])ment of the elec- 

 tricity-supply industry in this country. It is clear that a period of great 

 activity and progress is before us, which must inevitably be of great value 

 to the nation. 



It is a duty laid on those of us who may be in responsible positions to 

 shape properly and with foresight the lines along which this progress shall 

 be made. Although a steady development is already discernible, much 

 bigger things are before us, and it may be that we shall sow that a suc- 

 ceeding generation may reap. As Great Britain is essentially dependent 

 on imported foodstuffs to a large degree and on other raw materials for 

 the feeding of her essential industries, it is clear that the most efficient 

 and economic systems of industrial power and transport are necessary 

 parts of the future equipment of the country. If we can add to this 

 work of increased power application a notable improvement in the condi- 

 tions of rural life, we shall help to improve the physical conditions of our 

 people in both urban and rural districts, in addition to providing those 

 engaged in industrial pursuits with better means of competing and holding 

 their own with manufacturers in other countries. In this electricity 

 must necessarily play a great part. Public opinion will increasingly 

 require that this indispensable service shall be brought to the highest degree 

 of efficiency and made as generally available throughout the country aa 

 true economic development will allow. j 



