Notes

Abstract

A GENERAL meeting of the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography was held on Monday. The Prince of Wales, who presided, announced that the Queen had consented to act as patron of the Congress. In the report of the Organizing Committee, which was read by Sir Douglas Galton, it was stated that the opening meeting would take place at St. James's Hall on August 10, under the presidency of the Prince of Wales, and the sectional meetings would be held on the five following days in the rooms of the learned Societies at Burlington House. A special committee had been formed to call attention to the Congress in India, and special representations and invitations had been forwarded to foreign Governments (through the Foreign Office), the colonies (through the Agents General), and also to county, municipal, and local councils throughout the country. The Corporation of London had voted £2000 for an entertainment to the Congress, to be given in the Guildhall, and there could be no doubt that much hospitality would be offered to the Congress during its session. The organization of the Congress involved a very large expenditure, first for making the Congress known throughout the world and making the necessary arrangements for its sections, and secondly for the publication of the transactions. It was estimated that between £5000 and£6000 would be necessary, and for this sum an appeal would be made. Sir Spencer Wells read a report from the Reception Committee, Dr. Corfield a report from the Foreign Committee, and Mr. Digby a report from the Indian Committee. It appeared that the Governments of France, Italy, and Switzerland, and several of the colonies, had already accepted invitations to send delegates to the Congress. The reply of the Indian Government had not yet been received, but Lord Cross was fully alive to the importance of India being represented at the gathering. In replying to a vote of thanks for presiding, the Prince of Wales said he had little doubt the seventh Congress would be even more useful than any of its predecessors.