21 
covered, and that we are standing before some new and 
not less remarkable discovery. But even remaining 
within the limits of the facts already established, we must 
concede that a thorough mineral ogical elucidation of the 
nature of this accumulation of strontium, copper and 
vanadium through the agency of vital pro cesses should 
be considered seriously. And when we admit that the 
various organisms characterised by these mineral proper- 
ties, although less numerous in the contemporaneous 
epoch, might have been more abundant and appear as a 
common and widespread group at some remote period of 
the earth’s history, it will be clear then what importance 
must be attached to the detailed elucidation of all these 
questions for the proper understanding of the genesis of 
various minerals occurring in sedimentary rocks.” 
With this quotation from the pen of a distinguished foreign 
scientist I will bring my address to a close. I have endeavoured 
to-night to direct your attention to the moribund state of one of 
our greatest industries, and to the necessity for its rejuvenescence 
on broad grounds of national insurance. In doing this I havo 
sketched for you one or two successful scientific investigations 
which have led to the utilisation of new minerals or the discovery 
of new sources of long known ones, and I have suggested directions 
in which scientific research may be expected to benefit the mineral 
industry and at the same time increase the security of the Common- 
wealth. Now more than ever is our country ready to benefit from 
the work of our scientists, and I feel sure that they will rise to the 
occasion. 
EDWARD S. SIMPSON. 
