taxonomic work already completed. Unless real efforts are made now to remedy the approach to systematics in this country, future research will be seriously impeded.

Professor Richardson strongly advocated the return to New Zealand of type collections at present held abroad, referring to the Broun collection of Coleoptera as an example.

Doctor Falla pointed out that, considered historically, the sending of material overseas was inevitable; and that some continuation of this process, even after competent systematics in certain groups were available in New Zealand, was equally inevitable. He emphasized that contact with overseas systematists should be on a reciprocal basis.

Questioning whether in actual fact types or paratypes of insect species endemic to New Zealand are still not being returned to this country, he asked for specific cases to be quoted.

In reply, Doctor Salmon said that the point he had desired to make was that suitable opportunities for taxonomists should be created in this country— such a step would automatically end the practice of sending scientific material abroad for determination. The fact that many collectors still persist in sending entomological material abroad is shown by the facts that some still send cranefly material to C. P. Alexander, and that only recently two New Zealand Thysanura were described in the United States of America—in this latter case it is not known who sent the material from New Zealand.

Doctor Archey advocated the establishment of a central registry of privately owned separates in this country, the index perhaps referring to the appropriate entry in the Zoological Record. He suggested that the Journal of the Association of Scientific Workers might publish a “wanted” section in connection with such a registry.

Mr. K. R. Allen stressed the desirability of systematists having some training in statistics, as such a training is necessary in actual descriptive work and furthermore ensures the collection of adequate numbers of specimens from a proper geographical range, thus placing the matter of variation on a statistical basis.

In reference to Dr. Archey's suggestion that the J.A.S.W. might publish a “wanted” section, Mr. Allen undertook to bring this matter to the attention of the Council of the Association.

Mr. Turbott advocated that material which has been preserved but not worked up should be properly studied.

Doctor Miller stated that the greater part of our Dipterous types have now been returned to New Zealand, and are at present held at the Canterbury Museum, pending sorting to determine which should go to the collection of that Museum, which to the Cawthron Institute. He suggested that a list of all type specimens in New Zealand Museums, Institutes, and private collections should be drawn up and made available for reference purposes. Regarding the types in the Diptera, he stated that those in the Berlin and certain Polish, collections were destroyed in the recent war; and that those in the Banks collection in the British Museum, also those in the Copenhagen Museum, have been rendered worthless by museum pests.

Dr. Miller stressed that New Zealand has fine library resources, which should be brought together and catalogued. He exampled the fine entomological library at the Cawthron Institute as one not used freely enough by New Zealand entomologists.

He advocated a training in the classics for scientific workers, pointing out the value of such a course in obtaining freedom of thought and expression, and suggested the cultivation of a free style of writing and of an improved vocabulary by sitting down and writing poetry—taking care, however, to tear up the verses afterwards!

Lastly. Dr. Miller stressed the necessity of a spirit of co-operation and of freedom of discussion among scientific workers, pointing out the futility of a scientist's zealously guarding his discoveries for fear of their being stolen by others, as in actual fact the stealer in such a case is always the loser.