president's address. 27 



great deal to do with it ; many of them are engaged in commerce, 

 and their sons will in some cases also follow the same calling, and 

 it is a matter of great importance to them that the education of 

 the latter should be based upon scientific principles, and also 

 include some instruction in science. Practically nothing which 

 concerns mankind is a matter of indifference to us, and if it 

 relates to organised knowledge of almost any kind, i.e., "science," 

 then it is a matter in which we are specially interested ; as you 

 are, of course, aware, one of the old titles of this Society was the 

 Philosophical Society of Australasia ; the name Philosophical 

 Society was changed to Royal Society (by special permission of 

 Her late Majesty) purposely to widen its scope, because it was 

 considered that the term philosophy was not sufficiently compre- 

 hensive ; under our present title we have no narrow boundaries. 

 The higher forms of commercial education should be of professional 

 rank, and this is the view now being held and advocated in 

 England ; accordingly, at the new University of Birmingham, it 

 is proposed to have a Faculty of Commerce, with a professor, 

 assistant professor, and instructor and special lecturers, in addition 

 to those professors in other Faculties who will also take part in 

 the teaching. The curriculum suggested, includes the usual sub- 

 jects, such as mathematics, modern languages, various branches 

 of science, geography, &c, and in addition instruction in business 

 organisation, the theory and principles of trades unions, associa- 

 tions, trusts, commercial law, accountancy, shipping and railway 

 practice, banking, exchange, etc. The commercial education is 

 not to be a substitute for general education, but a supplement to 

 it, and students are not to be allowed to enter upon it too early ; 

 it is thought that the age of twenty is quite early enough, and it 

 is considered desirable that they should have taken a degree in 

 Arts before proceeding to a degree in the Commercial Faculty, 

 and that under any circumstances the highest commercial degree 

 should only be given to those who have also an Arts degree. 

 Night classes are not recommended, as it is felt that the proposed 

 curriculum will employ, all the energies of both students and 

 teachers. 



