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294 THE ECONOMIO BILCOBD NOV. the war. It is not aa sound and aa healthy as we would like it to be.” The fact that clearly divergent conclnsioxm were arrived at as to the condition of our pos~war productivity is attributed, in the main, to the Merent index numbers choeen, in each caseJ to adjust prices. O b v i d y no index number can be said to offer satisfaction in full. It is then no matter for snrprise-at least to the lawyer-that Judge Beeby speaks of the evidence available to the court on this phase of the case as “not conclusive.” He fa& “to agree with Mr. Benhsm’a fore- bodings,” but he does not reject or dispute Mr. Benham’s rdb. It is a matter of insnfiiciency of evidence. The Chief Judge, however, while confessing that “no index number is com- pletely satisfactory," adds: “Probably one would be safe in asWming that we have now regained in the average year the same production per head as in the five years immediately pre- ceding the war, and a considerably greater production per head of population than the average during the first decade of the century. ’’ The economist may be inclined to quarrel with a system which permits of a tribunal-legal in its general standing, out- look and procedure--dealing with matters where economic and social, and not legal, principles are supreme. Generally speak- ing, inquiries into problems such as faced the Court on this occasion should give greater prominence to economic analysis, and for this purpose more extensive statistical data are required and, perhaps, a more thorough interpretation than it is possible with the existing qnasi-judicial machinery. 0. de R. FOENANDER. The University of Ydbourne. “SECTION G” OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. (ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE.) (The following sketch is by the Hon. Semetary of the Section for the Meeting to be held in Hobart, January 16-21, 1928. Particulars of the subjects for this meeting are appended.)

“SECTION G” OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. (ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE)

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Page 1: “SECTION G” OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. (ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, AND SOCIAL SCIENCE)

294 THE ECONOMIO BILCOBD NOV.

the war. It is not aa sound and aa healthy as we would like it to be.” The fact that clearly divergent conclnsioxm were arrived at as to the condition of our pos~war productivity is attributed, in the main, to the Merent index numbers choeen, in each caseJ to adjust prices. O b v i d y no index number can be said to offer satisfaction in full. It is then no matter for snrprise-at least to the lawyer-that Judge Beeby speaks of the evidence available to the court on this phase of the case as “not conclusive.” He fa& “to agree with Mr. Benhsm’a fore- bodings,” but he does not reject or dispute Mr. Benham’s r d b . It is a matter of insnfiiciency of evidence. The Chief Judge, however, while confessing that “no index number is com- pletely satisfactory," adds: “Probably one would be safe in asWming that we have now regained in the average year the same production per head as in the five years immediately pre- ceding the war, and a considerably greater production per head of population than the average during the first decade of the century. ’’

The economist may be inclined t o quarrel with a system which permits of a tribunal-legal in its general standing, out- look and procedure--dealing with matters where economic and social, and not legal, principles are supreme. Generally speak- ing, inquiries into problems such as faced the Court on this occasion should give greater prominence to economic analysis, and for this purpose more extensive statistical data are required and, perhaps, a more thorough interpretation than it is possible with the existing qnasi-judicial machinery.

0. de R. FOENANDER. The University of Ydbourne.

“SECTION G” OF THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR

THE ADVANCEMENT O F SCIENCE. (ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, AND

SOCIAL SCIENCE.)

(The following sketch is by the Hon. Semetary of the Section for the Meeting to be held in Hobart, January 16-21, 1928. Particulars of the subjects for this meeting are appended.)

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1927 AE4XXATION FOB A D V A N C E X E ” OF SClENCE 295

I have before me the old minute book of “Section Q,” the parent of our Economic Society, and in view of the interest Whkh is being shown in our meeting for January next, it is not mere curiosity to turn the pages of its records.

The cover is dated 1888, the Srst year of the b o d a t i o n ; and 40 years is a long time in the history of our young countries. “Section Q” has done a lot of talking and writing in that time; what has it been thinking about? Alas, the records are any- thing but complete. There is no entry since the signature of Q. H. Knibbs as Vice-president on January 14, 1913. Among the papers discussed a t that meeting was one on “The Waste of Armaments.” The waste that commenced in the following year stopped the meetings €or eight years, but the earlier records have been spared to us, and with the volumes of proceedings for the whole h m i a t i o n , a good idea can be gained of the trend of interest.

Two of the most conscientious Secretaries have been the present Speaker of the Fe‘deral House of Representativea (in 1895) and the Solicitor-General for the Commonwealth (in 1898), and these meetings stand out among the earlier meetings of the Section. It will save space if all subsequent decorations are omitted from the many distinguished names associated with our Section.

Until recent years the Section included Agriculture, and on some occasiops this subject was dealt with $most exclusively. Statistics predominated in the early years, and in that time the most notable Papers in Economics were by the Tasmanian Statist, Mr. R. M. Johnston, who had something of a passion for the subject. Members of Parliament, judges and lawyers, and ministers of religion contributed Papers, which could only be collected under the general heading of Social Science, some- times without much emphasis on the latter word.

For the first meeting held a t Sydney in 1888 the minute book has two blank pages, with the cryptic note, “See Mr. Wylie” (the first Secretary). But no one saw Mr. Wylie for the purposes of record. Mr. H. H. Hayter, the Victorian Statistician, was President, and he talked on Official Statistics, a subject he often reverted to a t later meetings.

The second meeting was held at Melbourne in January, 1890. Mr. R. M. Johnston, 88 President, read a Paper, which included a discussion of “Strikea, Distribution of Wealth, Organisation of Employments, and Protection to Native Indns tries,” with much mathematical impressivenese, and there were

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296 THE ECONOMIC BEc<JBD NOV.

28 people present. A Cammittee~ reported on “The Cansea and Effecta of Strikes.”

The third meeting was held in New Zealand a year later. The Hoa G. W. Cotton, of South Australia, gave his Presi- dential address on “A State Bank,” in which he urged what we should now call a “managed” currency not based upon gold. Parks Nesbit, of Adelaide, ale0 contributed.

Twelve months later (1892) the fourth meeting was held in Hobart. Mr. R. Teece, of Sydney, as President, “indicated that improved relations would not be manifested until both capitalists and labourers realised that their interests were iden- tical and not antagonistic.” The quotation is from Mr. R. M. Johnaton. as Secretary. T. A. Coghlan appears with a Paper from Mr. Hayter on “The Concentration of Population in Am- tralian Capitals,’’ “sho&g that the tendency was not disadvan- tageous.” Ten Papers on economic questions included A. Sutherland on “The Effects of Protection,” Dr. R. Giffen on “International Statistical Comparisons,” and J. J. Fenton anticipating a Federal Debt. There were from 43 to 80 people in attendance, and 140 pages of report appear in the volume of the Association.

At Adelaide in September, 1893, Agriculture came first, with Taxation second. J. H. S p o n was Vice-president and €‘arias Neabit Secretary. A Paper on “Bimetallism” seem to have killed the meeting, for the attendance faded away, and other Papers had to be taken as read.

The Brisbane meeting in 1895 introduces many interesting names, and there is a demand for a separate section for the economic and political sciences. Under the heading of “Economic Science,” Papers were given by Sir S. G W , William Mac- millan, G. B. Barton, H. B. Higgins, R. R. Garran, J. Quick, and Jethro Brown. Professor Scott waa President and L. E. Groom Secretary, and from 40 to 70 members attended.

The next (seventh) meeting was held in Sydney in 1898, with R. M. Johnston as President and R. R. Garran 89 Secre- tary. Papers on “Federation” were read by A. B. Piddington, J. T. Walker and Jethro Brown, and others by Sir R. C. Baker and Sir S. Gri5th.

In 1900, at Mdbourne, Professor Jethro Brown was Presi- dent and J. J. Fenton, the Victorian Statistician. was Secretary. A cutting from The Age commences: “It waa perhaps able that the meeting ahodd be ntiliaed by Mr. Max E h ~ h to introduce his fhal view by means of a Paper.” Mr. c. w.

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1927 ASSOCUTION FOB ADVANCEMENT’ OF SCIENCE 297

Adams, a surveyor of Blenheim, N.Z., explained under the head- ing of “An Experiment in Currency Reform” how a Mr. Flurscheim, of Wellington, had in 1898 circulated notea (of from €1 to 6d. in amount) to the total value of €600, and how this was a way to escape from the tyranny of gold. Mr. R. L. Ndh, of Sydney, advocated Railway Federation as the only way to secure uniformity of gauge and other economies.

T. A. Coghlan was Preeident at Hobart in January, 1902. A. J. Ogilvy, a frequent contributor, discussed “Cost,” and J. J. Fenton card-punching machines. Otherwise the Section concen- trated on “AgricultureyY-from forestry to fruit.

The 1904 meeting, a t Dunedin, appears to have been absorbed entirely in discussing an American proposal to study “abnormally developed individuals.” At the next meeting, in Adelaide in 1907, the Section refused to discuss this any more. Professor F. Anderson, of Sydney, was President, and dealt with “Liberalism and Socialism,” while Mr. W. M. Hughes discussed the “Limits of State Interference,” the gist of which waa that none were to be found. The Hon. D. Mackinnon read a Paper on “The Financial Relations of the Australian Common- wealth and States.” Other Papers were by Professor Jethro Brown OE “Federation,” and Miss C. H. Spence on “Propor- tional Representation. ” ,

The 1909 meeting at Brisbane was presided over by B. H. Knibbs, who dealt with the history and problems of Statistics, and Mr. Max Hirsch returned to the subject taken by M%. W. M. Hughes in 1907 from the opposite point of view. E. J. Nansen continued the subject of “Voting Method,’’ and Dr. J . L. Cumpston read a Paper on the “Statistics of Tuber- culosis. ”

The next (thirteenth) meeting was in Sydney in 1911, with E. W. Fowles as President and A. Duckworth Secretary. The former discussed “Unemployment” and described the new British Insurance Scheme; the latter gave a Paper on “The Ris- ing Cost of Living,” and also referred to the effect of reduced money values on Australian debt. T. R. Bavin discussed Federal GCovernment, and indicated a guarded preference for the Unitary system: very guarded in reference to Australia. H. Y. Braddon discussed “Compulsory Arbitration in Indns- trial Disputes,” and after expressing many fears and giving some interesting speculations about future wage-fixation, he ended with a quotation from Meredith, which might have been pasted on the cover of the minute book: “Ah! what a dusty answer gets the soul when hot for certainties in this our life.”

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298 THE EOONOMIO BECORD NOV.

At MeIboume in January, 1918, R. M. Johnston was again President. Messra C. H. Wickens and Gt. liightfmt were Secre- taries. Mr. Johnston dealt with “Wage Regulation and Real Wagea.” “Proportional Representation” came up again through Mr. F. W. Barford. Bishop Mercer gave Papers on “Distributive Justice” and on “Competition” A bevy of Statisticians stiffened thinge generally, with H. A. Smith on “Orphan Annuities,” Q. Lightfoot on “Labour Statistics,” and C. H. Wickens on “A Law of Infantile Mortality.” So ended the fk t 25 years.

Since the war the following meetings have been held:-

Plme. President. 8ecretat-y. 1921 Melbourne G. H. E b b s D. B. Copland 1923 Wellington C. H. Wickens A. H. Tocker 1924 Adelaide D. B. Copland A. L. 0. Macgay 1926 Perth L. F. Qiblin Q. Bennett.

One stubborn old problem reappeared in the concrete form cif a shipping strike, which prevented the first of these meetings from being held in Hobart. Among the new problems, those connected with money and credit have been conspicuous, and the growing importance of Economics has pushed it to the fore- front. Two statisticians with a flair for economics, and one economist addicted to statistics, have been foremost in the Sec- tion, and in founding our new Economic Society. These are C. H. Wickens, L. F. Qiblin and D. B. Copland.

The Hobart Meeting, Janwzry 16-21,1928. At the Perth meeting in August, 1926, it was decided to

concentrate upon one h e m 1 Subject at the next meeting, apart from the Presidential Address. The subject chosen was the “Marketing of Prixnary Products.” It is intended to pub- lish a special number of The Record, containing a frill report of this meeting, and a guide to the literature of the subject. As far as practicable, summaries of the chief Papera will be circu- lated to membem in advance, and the object will be to keep &cient time for disoneaion. Among those expected to partici- pate are the Hon. T. Patemon, M.H.R. (Minister for Marketa and Migration), the Hon. H. Qregory, M..H.R (of Weat. A&-), Mr. H. W. Gepp (Chairman of the Commonwealth C o d o n for Development and -tion), and members of the Victorian Farmers’ Union. The following is the pm&ond p’ogramme:

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1927 ASSOCIATION FOB ADVAN- OF SCIWCE 299

Residential Address: “The Financial Relations of the Statea and the Commonwealth.” Professor R. C. W, LL.M., D.Sc. (Econ.), Sydney.

General Subject: The Harksting of Prinulry Products. “Australian Export Trade”: Mr. E. T. McPhee, Bureau of

Census and Statistics, Melbourne. “The Theory of Marketing”: D. B. Copland, M.A., D.Sc., Pro-

fessor of Commerce (Melb.). “Experience in Cooperative Marketing” : Messrs. J. Thomaon

(Manager) and C. W. Harpur (Secretary), Westralian Farmers, Ltd., Perth.

“B.A.W.R.A.”: Mr. E. C. Dyason, B.Sc., B.KE., Melbourne. ”Wheat Poolsy’: Mr. Q. L. Wood, M.A., Melbourne. “The New Zealand Dairy Control and Meat Producers’ Boards”:

Professor A. H. Tocker, M.A., Christchurch, N.Z. (in ccl- laboration with Prof. H. Belshaw, M.A., Ph.D., Auckland).

“The Marketing of Gold”: Mr. E. C. Dyason, B.Sc., BALE., Melbourne.

“The Marketing of Base Metals”: Sir Lennon Rams. “The Marketing of Osmiridium”: Mr. H. Reynolds, Hobart. “Early Wool Marketing” : Professor E. Shann, M.A., Perth. “South Australian Marketing”: Mr. A. L. a. MacKay, M.A.,

“The Marketing of Fruit”: Tasmanian members. “The Organised Control of Marketing” (summariea of

administrative machinery and esperience) . “Problems of Empire Marketing”: Mr. F. L. McDougal. “The Wheat Pool in Western Australia”: Mr. C. W. Harper.

Membership of the Section is obtained through member- ship of the kociation, the mbscription being €1. Information may be received from the Hon. General Secretary, A. B. Walkom, D.Sc., Royal Society’s House, 5 Elizabeth Street, Syd- ney; or the Hon. Local Secretary, Clive Lord, F.L.S., Director of the Tasmanian Museum, Hobart

M.Econ., Adelaide.

J. B. BRIGDEN. The University of Tapnaanb.