1919.] New Zealand Institute Science Congress. 241 
The Statistical Department is being rapidly improved and extended, 
and I place great value upon its work. The latest development is that 
an industrial census is to take place each year, instead of every five years 
as hitherto. This will be of great value in assisting both employers and 
workers, and I confidently look to those engaged in industries to assist 
this Department. 
What is required, I think, is the creation of a scientific atmosphere 
throughout the Dominion. It must begin in the primary schools, where 
90 per cent, of the children receive their whole education. An afternoon 
session occupied by a science lecturer, assisted by experiments, would 
impress many juveniles, and create a desire to know more, which is the 
first step in knowledge. And in the same way science should permeate 
our whole education system. I look for great benefit from the workers’ 
education scheme, which should be extended everywhere. Also, I have 
always held that our college professors should not be entirely in the class¬ 
room and study, but should from time to time give to the people the 
results of their studies in the form of public lectures such as those that were 
given in this hall in past years, and which drew each winter crowded 
audiences. There is much more appreciation of science than we are inclined 
to believe. 
Finally, the State must be prepared to foot the bill. I therefore urge 
the Science Congress to press upon the Government—upon the Government 
now in office and each succeeding Government—that without Govern¬ 
mental expenditure science cannot grow and expand ; that scientists cannot 
live on air or on the hope of posthumous fame, and that therefore if the 
Dominion is to develop by means of science adequate funds must be pro¬ 
vided for research, for the training of teachers and professors, for the 
equipment of laboratories and staffs, and for the creation of the scientific 
atmosphere of which I have spoken. 
Before I sit down may I congratulate Dr. Cockayne upon his election 
as President of the Institute and of this Congress. His devotion to science 
is fully recognized throughout the Dominion and also beyond it. A number 
of years ago he published a botanical work on the trees and plant-life of 
New Zealand. This work being out of print, the President has kindly 
consented to prepare a second edition, enlarged and brought up to date, 
which is now being printed at the Government Printing Office. It will be 
a text-book for our schools and colleges, and I have pleasure in stating 
the copyright has been presented to the Government by the learned author. 
Presidential Address by Dr. L. Cockayne, F.L.S., F.R.S. 
Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,—At those great Science 
Congresses held by the British Association for the Advancement of Science 
—the mother of such associations throughout the world—the President has 
dealt not infrequently with the more recent history of scientific advance 
in that special branch of knowledge which is his life-work. At future public 
meetings of the New Zealand Institute addresses of like character would be 
most desirable. The history of New Zealand science itself in its various 
branches would be of especial moment and form a basis for further advance. 
But on this occasion—the first time, indeed, that the New Zealand Institute 
since its initiation has come before the public—it seems fitting rather to 
19—Science. 
