G.—ENGINEERING 143 
meeting and interchange of ideas, and the collection and publication of 
information concerning mechanical engineering in general. To the 
development of both the science and the art the Institution has made 
many notable contributions, and the advancement in status of the 
mechanical engineer of to-day is due very largely to its intensive and 
continued efforts. 
The work of this body has been no less valuable in the matter of train- 
ing. The successive stages of Studentship, Graduateship, Associate 
Membership and full membership of the Institution—combining an 
examination with the requisite practical experience for each grade— 
constitute a means of qualification for higher posts, and this course 
should be followed by every young student, whether or not he already 
possesses a university degree. ‘To the student who does not, it affords 
an alternative qualification of the same merit. That the Institution has 
faithfully pursued the aim of giving the widest possible training and the 
amplest of opportunities to those young men whose education is not of 
university standard is patent from the fact that it provides, to the ele- 
mentary school boy, a means of attaining further knowledge. Thus, by 
attending the evening classes of any recognised technical institute, and by 
dint of hard work, he can obtain National Certificates in Engineering 
subjects, exempting him from certain portions both of the Studentship 
and Associate Membership examinations. From this point his education 
and works training can proceed, side by side, until he is elected an 
Associate Member. The university engineering graduate, provided he 
possesses the requisite works experience, may be elected to the Associate 
Membership without further examination. It will be clear, therefore, 
that—largely by the efforts of the Institution—a complete scheme of organi- 
sation for training in mechanical engineering exists in this country, 
and that the way to advancement is in no way barred to the young student 
who has not had the advantage of a university training, so that an adequate 
supply of trained engineers should thus be assured. 
It is widely recognised to-day that too intensively mechanised an 
existence has a somewhat soul-destroying tendency. Welfare work is 
designed to counteract this influence, and may be defined as a systematic 
and sustained effort to humanise industry. The efficient worker must 
enjoy both physical and mental health, must possess undistorted ambition, 
and must have a true conception of citizenship and his responsibility to 
all his fellow-men. The making of a community of such individuals is 
the aim of welfare work. The need for such work would be demonstrated, 
if it were not already self-evident, by the fact that the Industrial Welfare 
Society now numbers among its members most of the leading firms in 
the country. The Society is particularly fortunate in having for its 
President H.R.H. the Duke of York. All engineers who have the welfare 
of the industry at heart must be infinitely grateful to His Royal Highness 
for his leadership in this vital matter, not only for the interest he shows 
and the great amount of time which he devotes to visiting so many works, 
but for the many practical suggestions for the betterment of conditions 
which he has made. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of 
welfare work among young men, for they are the next generation of 
