"Task of Reconstruction Challenge to Youth," Regina Leader-Post. May 18, 1943. Page 4. ---- BRANDON, Man., May 18 (CP). - Hon. Hubert Staines, Saskatchewan minister of education, guest speaker at the Brandon college annual convocation Monday night, challenged young people of the present day to be prepared to enter upon a world of reconstruction and rebuilding.
He warned them that they be not swept aside by the preaching of easy methods and pet doctrines.
Mr. Staines, a graduate of the college in 1923, stressed the importance of character building in present day education, the need of giving meaning and direction to life.
He reviewed the world conditions as we see them today and pointed out that the world was not swept aside by the preaching seeing the results of power in the hands of pagan, arrogant and godless leaders, who have forgotten that the attribute of true greatness is the building of character and not in amassing great possessions.
"Today young people must place in abeyance their personal plans," said Mr. Staines. "They have a rendezvous with destiny, and it is for them to be strong to meet it."
Mr. Staines reviewed the history of the period at the beginning of the present century-al period of advancement and prosperity which was cut short with the First World War.
He recalled the peace conference of 1919 and showed how formations of Europe marked the end of an epoch.
Then economic conditions of the world were unsettled and countries knew the stress of depressions.
History is repeating itself and the same challenge comes to the young man of today as it came a quarter of a century ago, he said.,
"Only the most heroic are worthy to lead the world out of its present dire state."
