PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 503 



seas or in the field, and which returns having looked death in the face without 

 being afraid, will not take up life where it was left. The noble qualities that 

 have been evoked by the stress of battle will remain and will influence civil life 

 during the next generation. The outlook will be both broader and also more 

 simple. Methods of social legislation and administration will become more 

 direct and less timorous. The men who have dared greatly and who have 

 endured will chafe against the rules that have been formed during easier times. 

 Great wars tear away the veils which hide the essential needs of living, and 

 reveal what is fundamental. The directness of vision that has faced danger 

 is not likely to be alarmed in facing the difficulties of our social and industrial 

 problems. And so we may expect with confidence that our legislation will be 

 bolder and also more sane than it has been in the past. The sacrifices of so 

 many cannot pass, when the war is over, and leave no trace. The nation has 

 been re-vitalised in the course of the struggle and the influence of this move- 

 ment will persist. 



In many respects the economic problems that will confront us after the war 

 will be even more serious, and certainly not less difficult, than those of the 

 present time. Still there can be no doubt that these will be faced with courage 

 and patience. The period of stress through which we are passing has shown 

 the unity of thought and purpose throughout the whole Empire. And this, 

 in spite of many appearances to the contrary, will be a great asset in the future. 

 The great national emergency has caused a closing of the nation's ranks, and 

 it rests with us to keep them firm and steadfast when peace returns. There 

 are plain signs that it may not always be easy, since so many industrial and 

 other difficulties have been carried forward as a suspense account which is to 

 be dealt with when the war is over. National unity is enabling us to progress 

 towards victory, and the same unity will be required to enable us to reap the 

 full fruits of that victory at home. It would be a mad waste not to employ the 

 qualities of heart and mind which have been aroused in this great struggle in 

 the service of peace and social progress. The future may be difficult for some 

 years to come, but difficulties are the opportunities of the strong and courageous. 

 It has fallen to us to live in an heroic age ; and, if we remain true to ourselves 

 and to our high destiny, we shall have the strength and the fixity of purpose to 

 achieve greatly in peace as well as in war. 



The following Discussion then took place : — 



Discussion on the Promotion of Industrial Harmony. 

 Opened hy Professor A. W. Kirkaldy. 



Sir C. Macara, Mr. W. Thorne, M.P., Sir Hugh Bell, Mr. Alfred Evan?, 

 Mr. G. Pickup Holden, Professor L. T. Hobhouse, Councillor James Johnston, 

 Rgv. p. H. Wicksteed, :\rr. G. E. Toogood, Professor Un\vin, Mr. B. Ellinger, 

 Mr. R. Walker, Mr. Alfred Smalley, J. P., Mr. A. Lupton, Mr. Glover, and 

 the President of the Section took part. 



THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9. 

 The following business was transacted : — 



1. Discussion on Outlets for Labour after the War. 



The following Report, arising out of a Conference held at the instance of 

 the Organising Sectional Committee during the preceding year, and dealing with 

 the Replacement of Men by Women in Industry, was considered : — 



