NOTES ON THE CONFERENCE OF DELEGATES. 285
'undecided,' perhaps the most significant remark is to the effect that the
Club in question is doubtful whether economy of energy might not be dearly
purchased by loss of enthusiasm, and whether 'a deadening uniformity'
might not result from Unions. Of the nine Societies generally favourable to
Unions, two only, the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and the
Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society, sent definite, detailed plans of
what they proposed to accomplish in their own localities. And a third, the
Essex Field Club, stated that it was in communication with the Norfolk and
Norwich Natural History Society with the view of establishing some degree
of co-operation between the two Societies in the future. The others con-
tented themselves with the remark that union was a step in the right
direction, or with some other phrase expressing vague approval."
"The replies received from the Societies classed as 'unfavourable in
their own cases' vary very much as to their approval of federation in the
abstract. All these Societies are Corresponding Societies, and have counties
or other large areas as their spheres of work."
"Judging from answers received, it would appear that Societies having a
whole county or some district of similar size as their sphere of operations are
usually indifferent, or averse, to union with adjacent counties or districts.
Members of such Societies do not generally feel a strong local interest in
larger areas, and at the same time they do not need the help of other
Societies in the publication of their transactions. On the other hand,
experience shows that a large number of the smaller local Societies are
associations rather for lectures and excursions than for local scientific work,
and the brief annual reports they issue are of little interest, except to their
own members. Consequently they also are uninterested in questions about
federation."
After discussing the probable causes of failure of some
recent attempts at federation, notably the "Midland Naturalists
Union" and the "Cumberland and Westmorland Association,"
the Report concludes :—
"In short, while no one can doubt the great desirability on all grounds
of increased federation among various local Societies, it is obvious that
success must depend, not on the abstract merits of any given scheme, but on
its suitability to the local conditions in which it is expected to work. Some
disappointment may be felt at the slightness of the interest manifested in
federation. But it may be hoped that many Societies which are more or less
averse to any close federation with neighbouring Associations have, never-
theless, had their thoughts profitably directed towards the attainment of a
much greater amount of mutual co-operation and assistance than at present
prevails."
An interesting discussion took place, which is too long to
report fully here. The Chairman, while admitting the great
differences of opinion with regard to federation, thought that
much good might result from some such scheme as the grouping
of Counties for occasional meetings of their Local Societies, if
for no other purpose than to avoid duplication of work.