Undergraduate Society
Standing, left to right: J. K. Power, Treas.; J. Russell, Vice-Pres.; G. J. Watson, Sec.
Seated, left to right: J. S. Connolly, Pres., Dr. E. F. Beach, Director.
Having completed an exceedingly successful summer session under the capable leadership of Don Delvin, the Commerce Undergraduate Society embarked upon an ambitious winter campaign. The activities of the Society were severely curtailed during the first term by the Harvesting Expedition when the “Men of Commerce” moved out en masse to the grain fields.
Mid-way through November the Society held a supper in the Union Grill Room. The guest speaker was Professor Benjamin Higgins, who presented an interesting and concise picture of Post-war-reconstruction Problems and solutions thereof.
During the latter part of November a Bowling League was formed. The idea proved popular and attendance was good. After the smoke of competition had cleared away, the figures showed the third year bowlers to be superior.
A combination supper and Mock Parliament was held by the Society during the latter part of January. Professor Vineberg acted as speaker of the house which deliberated a Government Resolution that Commercial and Industrial Controls would have to be continued for a considerable period after the conclusion of the war.
Early in February the Society held a Sleigh Drive and Dance. After an enjoyable rode around the mountain, the participants returned to the Union where the refreshments were served and dancing was in order.
The society owes a debt of gratitude to the executive officers, who have so ably administered the tasks with which they have been entrusted.
To the Commerce Graduates of 1943
Students who are graduating in 1943 have had an unusual opportunity of receiving a real education. Many of you came to the University as freshmen in 1939 when the war was beginning. You must have watched the appearance of deep conflicts in social philosophies and experienced the disillusionment of people of high ideas in learning of the calculated fiendishness of our opponents. You read for a while about a phoney war and later found out how real it was. You passed through months of depressing defeat, and learned the strength of faith. Now you can take heart from the positive evidence of strength.
The sons and daughters of these graduates will read of this great struggle in their history text books, under the headings of “courses” “events” and “effects”. How little it will mean to them in comparison!
Surely the present graduate can in a sense be grateful that they have had such an opportunity. Perhaps they can more fully appreciate the need for meeting the great weakness in our social organization. This statement applies to commerce students certainly no less than to others, for there are developing many troublesome problems in the relationship of business to industry ad in commercial competition between countries, which will require much more thought and above all, cooperation of conflicting interests.
We must expect more government in business. But business men must see that the traffic is not all one way. They have a big job to do.
E. F. Beach
Director of the School of Commerce
McGill Yearbook: 1943
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