Soctal Science Congress. 183 
What ts the Duty of the Mother Country as Regards the 
Protection of Inferior Races in her Colonies and Depen- 
dencies ? 
THE papers read were by Mr. R. N. Fowler, Mr. C. S. 
Roundell, and Mr. John Gorrie, the two latter having been 
Prepated .by fequest. Sir V. Surtees presided, in’ the 
absence of Mr. Dudley Field. Mr. FOWLER’S paper was on 
“The Treatment of Inferior Races by Great Britain” (re- 
ferring to the gradual extinction taking place in the Hud- 
son's Bay Territory of the Indian aborigines, the British 
possessions in South Africa, and the Maories in New 
Zealand). He concluded by saying that England had not 
shone in her treatment of subject races, and that the Em- 
peror of the French, in his wise and just protection of the 
Arabs of Algeria, had set us an honourable example which 
it was to our disgrace we had not imitated. It was well 
worthy this Association’s inquiry if something could not be 
done to secure the rights and privileges of the natives of 
our different colonies. Their lands should be respected, 
and, when required for colonization, acquired by purchase 
or on fair terms, proper officers should be appointed to look 
after their interests and to protect them in the enjoyment 
of their rights.. Above all, every facility should be given 
to those devoted men who strove to bring them to the paths 
of Christianity and civilisation. In reference to the Hud- 
son’s Bay Company’s territories, it was suggested that the 
charter should be withdrawn, and the aborigines placed 
under the protection of Canada. 
Mr. ROUNDELL read a very able paper. The portion of 
it directed to the condemnation of recent events in Jamaica, 
called forth applause ; and his inquiry into the question 
how far the negro is capable of civilisation was listened to 
with much interest. 
The Prevention of Infanticide. 
THE discussion was opened by Dr. LANKESTER, Coroner 
for the Central District of Middlesex, who stated that he 
would confine his remarks to the murder of children newly- 
born, though the murder of children who had lived for a 
few weeks or months, or even fora year, was not uncommon. 
In 1863 he had held eighty-four inquests on newly-born 
children ; in 1864, 100; and in 1865, 114. That included 
all cases of death, whether caused by natural causes or 
otherwise. In 1863, however, fifty-three verdicts of wilful 
