![Thumbnail: [Volume 44, 1911 page 18]](/journals/rsnz/images/rsnz_44/thumbnails/rsnz_44_01_0535_0018_ac_02.gif)
Hawke's Bay Philosophical Institute.
First Meeting: 2nd June, 1911.
The President, Mr. H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., in the chair.
New Member.—Mr. Alexander.
Address.—The President delivered his presidential address on “Individualism versus Collective Industrialism.”
Mr. Hill first referred to the advantage of being a member of the Institute, and urged the desirability of keeping records of early settlement, of the natural characters of the country, of original and introduced flora and fauna, of climate, of temperature, of rainfall, of floods, &c.
The address dealt with the economic relations between workers and masters and the State. The comparison between the State and a person was made with respect to the various changes taking place as time passed, and deductions were made therefrom. Some scenes in industrial centres in England which were visited by the lecturer were described, and the evil effects of specialization were noted. The treatment of the “human machine” was discussed, and the question raised why the employer did not treat the worker as well as the inanimate machine. The State should help workers in sickness, unemployment, and old age by better methods than it does, and national provision should be made for such cases. As the State looks after children in providing education for their future trades and professions, so also it should make provision that during their later life they should never be dependent upon mere charity. Germany has provided a scheme for her workers, and New Zealand has instituted pensions and a National Provident Fund More is required.
Second Meeting: 30th June, 1911.
The President, Mr. Hill, B.A., F.G.S., in the chair.
New Member.—Mr. Malcolm McLeod.
Papers.—
| 1. |
“Some Contents of Napier Waters.” By J. Niven. |
A later paper will deal more fully with the subject.
| 2. |
“A Chat on Some Peculiar Stones.” By H. Hill, B.A., F.G.S. |
Various peculiar and interesting stones were shown and their story told.