38 president's address. 



and does not skin it, and must be the schoolmaster of the nation 

 in the highest sense. 



The scientific method — the method of accurately informed' 

 common sense — is the onry sane, the only impartial, the only 

 incorruptible and the only efficient method, in government as in 

 everything else. What are the alternatives 1 Good government 

 carried out by statesmen, based on exact science, precise know- 

 ledge, and foresight; and bad government carried out by politi- 

 cians subservient to present interests and personal influences,, 

 and based on nescience. 



So Science is the natural ally of the Government. For in. 

 regard to material questions the scientific man of the twentieth 

 century occupies the position of the prophets of old. He 

 alone can say "Thus saith the Lord," for he alone has "waited 

 patiently upon the Lord," and learned His will. Without Science 

 no nation can keep its place in the van. For " Science is the 

 golden guiding star of practice; without science there can only 

 be a blind groping in the region of undefined possibilities." 



On behalf of the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. J. R. Garland, who was- 

 unable to be present, the Secretary submitted the Financial 

 Statement for the past year, and then moved that its considera- 

 tion be deferred for a month, as a series of altogether unusual 

 circumstances had combined to prevent the Auditors from carry- 

 ing out their duties at the appointed time. 



No nominations of other Candidates having been received, the 

 President declared the following elections for the opening Session, 

 to have been duly made : — 



President : A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., B.Sc. 



Members op Council (to fill six vacancies) : Prof. T. W. E. 

 David, B.A., F.R.S., Henry Deane, M.A., F.L.S., M. Inst, C.E. r 

 W. S. Dun, James R. Garland, M. A., Prof. W. A. Haswell, D.Sc, 

 F.R.S., J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., etc. 



Auditors: Messrs. Duncan Carson and Edward G. W. Palmer,, 

 J.P. 



The Meeting then adjourned to April 29th, at 8 o'clock. 



