Vol. I., No. 4, JUNE, 1882. ] 
A NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE. 
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BY A. K. NEWMAN, ESQ., M.B., M.R.C.P. 
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The marked success achieved by the British Association of 
Science has led to the successful foundation of kindred insti- 
tutions among most civilised nations. In the United States, 
France, Germany, and Scandinavia, they flourish. This process 
of aggregation has indeed gone still further, for these national 
meetings have been followed by international gatherings. There 
have been meetings, such as the International Geographical 
meetings, where representatives from the most distant countries 
assembled, each bringing his special knowledge to be assimilated 
with the common stock. This was followed by a great Inter- 
national Medical Congress, which met in London, and was a 
brilliant achievement. Everywhere in the scientific world are 
evidences abundant as to the value of such associations and 
such gatherings, and nowhere is there trace of harm. In the 
body political a like result obtains. In New Zealand, our 
bankrupt isolated provinces have been abolished and replaced 
by a flourishing united form of government. Our philosophical 
societies, each struggling hard, each doing good work, would do 
still better work if united ; and such an association would fairly 
hold its own against like associations, and would make a 
respectable appearance in the scientific world. Until recently 
the existence of such a body was quite impossible in this 
colony, but now that rail and steam have made means of com- 
munication frequent and easy, the welding process is simple—it 
merely needs a beginning. If the effort were made, success 
would certainly follow. All that is required is the willing 
co-operation of the various societies. When the British Associ- 
ation first met it was ridiculed by all the newspapers, now it is a. 
mighty help in the advancement of science. There are now so 
many workers in the colony that, if a fair percentage assembled, 
Meewould suffice to ensure success. I believe that a sufficient 
number would attend. A _ carefully-selected committee of 
Management, consisting of one representative from each Philo- 
sophical Society, could draw up rules and a plan of manage- 
ment, which could not fail to be successful. As a model, they 
might choose the British Association. The New Zealand 
Association should be peripatetic, holding its meetings in the 
chief towns. Any member of any Philosophical Society should 
be a member of the Association. It should be governed by a 
president, vice-presidents, and a committee elected by the mem- 
bers. A week would be long enough for the sittings of this 
Scientific parliament. Its meetings should be held in spring, 
