164 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN INSTITUTE. — [VOL. XI 
one the impression of being in the midst of a gigantic struggle in which 
the participants have consecrated themselves body and soul, with a 
lofty cheerfulness and transcendent eagerness to the accomplishment 
and consummation of one of the noblest and most stupendous tasks 
to which humanity has ever set its hand. 
On the breaking out of the war two years ago, one witnessed the most 
heart-rending sights when trainloads of soldiers left the great stations in 
the British Isles for the front. Wives were seen clinging to husbands, 
mothers to sons, and sweethearts to their lovers. The air was filled with 
wailing and anguished cries. To-day, under similar circumstances, one 
still sees women and girls crowding the railway stations to bid good-bye 
to their soldier sweethearts and relatives. But all is changed. There is 
still eagerness, yearning, longing, admiration and tenderness in their 
faces, but practically no tears. The people are beyond tears. The 
effects of the war are everywhere and are felt equally by all classes. The 
result is a most remarkable mental, moral and spiritual exaltation. I 
have not had the privilege of visiting France since the war began, but 
I am told that the changes which have taken place in that wonderful 
country are equally marked and equally profound. It has been truly 
said that ‘‘ Britain and France are not simply renewed—they are reborn. 
The British Empire and France are the youngest nations in the 
world”’. 
The changes which have been wrought by the war in the Old World 
have also been going on in Canada, though to a less degree, and the 
question naturally arises:—What are we to do with all this enormous 
quantity of mechanical equipment which has been assembled and what 
are we to do with the millions of men and women who have received 
this remarkable stimulation and change of outlook from the stress of 
war? Assuredly here we have a problem which will tax the resources 
of Governments and Legislatures let alone that of Industrial Commis- 
sions. 
We must however remember that the mechanical equipment, and 
mental energy which has been developed in the process of rescuing the 
Empire from disaster, can also be used in the arts of peace for main- 
taining and extending its intellectual and industrial supremacy. Both 
capital and labour have learned how to respect each other. Capital has 
learned that the labourer is worthy of his hire, and labour has learned 
that the promotion of its interests is not incompatible with efforts on 
the part of capital to increase production. Both have learned the value 
of the application of scientific principles to industry and have seen more 
clearly that co-operation and mutual confidence are vital factors in 
the advancement of national greatness. 
