ere is nothing, we believe, nothing more
inviting than the readiness of our Western Provinces in dealing with
problems. Here we have a beautiful example of that boldness of western
youth, so confident in its resources, so optimistic in its views.

Like the West, let us diagnose our educational problems; a survey of
prevailing conditions will show facts and figures. Let us see and
admit the truth; camouflage is a poor policy in matters of such
importance.

This diagnosis will naturally suggest remedies. Although there are
certain standards in education, which are as stable as human nature
itself, nevertheless, we must not forget that the human mind is a
living thing--ever re-adjusting itself to environments that various
factors have created. This readjustment of our methods in teaching and
of our policies in administration, we know, is a very delicate process.
But it has to be done and done rightly if education is not to be a
misnomer.

This re-adjustment will demand the co-operation of the educational
expert and the masses. The expert has his ear to the ground, his hand
on the pulse to grasp the trend of human thought. He walks ahead to
blaze the way. To find or, at least, to train specialists to direct
the forward march is the easiest part of the problem. The greatest
difficulty in all great movements is to overcome the profound and
widespread indifference of the masses. Yet through this co-operation
of the people will come the only valuable and permanent reforms.
Without it our experts will court failure.

Two initial tasks impose themselves if we wish to enlist in this great
educational movement the sympathies of the people: 1. To arouse
interest in local communities. 2. To organize individual and group
action.

A wide publicity campaign (in the papers, by means of lectures,
distribution of literature, in season and out of season) is the only
means of arousing the people from their apathy. It takes time to see
the ideas of leaders and experts filter down into the lower strata of
society. Yet we should always have faith in the mastery of ideas, in
the ultimate triumph of truth and right.

The organization of units for a concerted action is a work of time and
patience. Like the incoming tide it creeps in. This will suppose, to
be efficient, a recognized leader and an established and well
thought-out plan. This should be the definite result of this
conference.

2. _Warning_.--But all is not gold