CHARACTER EDUCATION

THAT this Conférence puts itself on record as rccognizing the necessity for the deepening and strengthening of the moral and spiritual factors in our National Education, alike in the School, the Church and the Home, and instructs the newlj- appointed National Council to make a considération of the prolilom hère involved a first charge upon its délibérations.

THAT this Conférence recognizing that development of child morality is largely achieved through the objective side of his nature, expresses its hearty approval of ail those auxiliary agencies, such as the Boys' Brigade, The Boj- Scouts, the Cadet Corps, the Canadian Standard Efficiencj' Training, and the Canadian Girls in Training, the Girl Guides and the Little jMothers' League, ^vhich aid in developing among children of school âge physical fitness and the spirit of service and citizenship in the community.

BELIEVING that the moral éducation of the youth of our countrjmust dépend on the development of sound phj'sical bcdies, the Conférence desires to express its conviction that every possible means should be taken for safeguarding and promoting the hcalth of the children in ail parts of the countrj-. To this end we believe that a complète System of médical and dental inspection imder compétent doctors and nurses should be organized in every Province for both rural and urban schools; also thaht provision should be made for the adéquate and spécifie training of ail teachers in the principles of hygiène, particularly applied to the conditions o'f school life.

THAT inasmuch as the prcvailing emphasis on compétitive methods in industrj- and commerce has tended to a weakening of the sensé of sohdarit}' among the citizens of Canada, and the perversion of motive resulting from imdue regard to the rewards of work as compared with interest in the service rendered, this Conférence reccmmends that ail our schools promote by every rcasonable means the spirit and practice of co-operative effort both in teani-games and in class work.

THAT this Conférence expresses its conviction that provision should be made for free and compulser}^ éducation up to the âge of 16 j'^ears and part-time éducation for ail the youth of Canada up to the âge of eighteen.

WHEREAS on accomit of the waste of the récent ■nar and the demands of the présent task of reconstruction the conservation of the youth of our comitry is of such vital importance; Resolved that this National Conférence on Character Education expresses its conviction that provision for state aid should be made for parents \\ho would otherwise be forced through économie necessity to take their children away from school during the compulsory period :

AND further, in the opinion of this Conférence, there should be Factory Acts or other légal enactments rigidly cnforeed in every Province prohibiting the em]-)loymont bf children under the âge of compulsory school attendance.

572 ^ l'action française

THAT inasmuch as éducation cannot fuJfil its proper functioii without the playgroimds and equipmcnt siiitable for the développent of organized play, this Conférence calls the attention of our Canadian School authorities to the fact that many of our school groimds are inadéquate to this purpose.

THAT this Conférence having regard to the fact that Canada is largely an agricultm-al countrj', expresses its conviction that it is in the best interests of the whole country that a high type of rural schools be developed; AND THAT as a means to this end continuation work in rural schcols be encouragcd and every inducement be offered to rural pupils to attend thèse schools iintil such time as attendance to the âge of 16 years be made compulsory.

WHEREAS the effect of the Moving Pictiue on school children is incalculably powerful for good or evil, and whereas much of what is now offered as entertainment is based upon suggestions that tend to familiarize the minds of children with situations that are sensational and frequently immoral and vulgar;

THEEEFORE be it resolved that this Conférence direct attention to the vital necessity of developing an active public opinion, demonstrated by attendance at théâtres, for the support of good pictures — which oan only be hcped for when it bcconies good business to exhibit such pictures, and also for the strengthening of the hands of the varions boards of censorship in their efforts to raise the standard of the Moving Picture industrj-; and that every effort be made to secure films depicting Canadian and British life and sentiment.

WHEREAS it bas been coiiclusively shown that posters and advertisements of a suggestive and immoral natui-e are used to attract attendance to performances and moving pictmes otherwise comparatively harmless; be it recolvcd that this Conférence urge a strict censorship of posters and advertisemcnts.