McGill University - Old McGill Yearbook (Montreal Quebec, Canada)

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The Chancellor ' s Message UPON only a few occasions throughout the history of Canada have our people passed through such interesting and challenging conditions as those now confronting us, and to university graduates entering upon their life-work the times present perhaps more of challenge than they do to any other order of our citizens. It would appear that, in a large measure, the country, as far as private business is concerned, has come through the period of deflation and re-orien- tation that had to be faced, and has definitely set out upon the task of re- establishing and re-building on sounder foundations and more modern methods. It is a work of vast proportions, and is likely to extend over a considerable period of time. Under the leadership of men strengthened to the struggle by experi- ence, university graduates will take a large part in the work of the important era of national progress and development that lies ahead. To the graduate of today the world of work may have a less kindly and generous appearance than it has presented in other years, but I do not know that ever before there has been evident so great a need or so urgent a demand for high standards of efficiency and force of character in its on-coming generation of young men and women. If this be true. I have no doubt that the rewards the world will have to offer for these qualities will prove as ample and as satisfying as those it has given in the past. There should be no discouragement to the graduate in this prospect of hard work and continuous effort. Rather should there be the keen encourage- ment that comes with the vision of a battle ahead worthy of our steel. It is part of McGill philosophy that high standards of sportsmanship must be main- tained. Whether to win or lose, McGill men have gone to the game to give their best, undismayed by possible odds against them. To the graduates who are leaving McGill this year I would say — you can have no better basis than this for your philosophy of labour, and no more gratifying reward than the knowledge that you have played the game. For you all I wish a lifetime of opportunity, success and happiness. E. W. BE ATT Y

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I The PrincipaPs Message Reprinted from the Daily. Monday, October 2. 1933. AM grateful for this opportunity of extending a warm welcome to the students of McGill University, to those who are returning from vacation and to those who come for the first time. At this season, when we are entering upon another year of effort, it is fitting to remind you of the fact that the Governors, Corporation, professors and students are all members of one great entity, sharing the responsibility for the welfare of McGill. To those of you who are entering your first year of University life may I say this: At McGill you will be looked upon as responsible young men and women. There is no molly-coddling. You are expected to stand on your own feet and to do your own independent work. You will be given much latitude, even freedom, but if you abuse that freedom you will not succeed. I urge you, therefore, to use diligence and common sense, and to remember always that the welfare and dignity of the University are in your keeping. I feel that I must call the attention of older members of the University to the unusual number of failures in sessional examinations last year. These failures are not always due to laziness or to preoccupation with extra curricular activities; most of them come about because of the lack of systematic, daily, private study, and the want of self-discipline. These are times of widespread suffering and hardship. It is more necessary than ever to realize fully the opportunities and privileges that are ours. A great, well-equipped and well- staffed university is an expensive plant, representing large investments in money, in thought, in sacrifice. Waste of time under present circumstances is almost criminal. I appeal to all members of the University for a co-operative effort, to reduce the numbers of those forced to take supplemental examinations, and to ensure that we end the year with the fine record of high accomplishment that justifies the trust imposed in us all. The progress and success of the whole University can be achieved only through the earnestness, discipline, hard work and esprit de corps of all its members. A. W. CURRIE Montreal Inasmuch as the Principal ' s message has been for many years a regular feature of Old McGill, the editors feel that this volume would hardly be complete without the record of Sir Arthur Currie ' s last message to the students. The foregoing message has the additional virtue of containing a word of advice which may be more thoroughly appreciated, perhaps, at the end of the year than at the beginning, when it was originally offered.