The topic for discussion at the morning session was “What do We Want by Way of Schools for Our Children? The Conference study groups were in favor of consolidation of elementary schools wherever practic‘able, the elimination of grades 9 and 10 from one-room schools, grouping of grades 1 through 8 in elementary schools, and grades 9 through 12 in High Schools and the establishment of the Foundation Program as outlined by Dr. LaZerte, and which was given much thought and discussion in the groups.

The other major topic for discussion “How Can We Pay For What We Want” dealt with the expenditure of more money for Education in P.E.I. and an equitable system of finance to support the Foundation Program of Dr. LaZerte.

It was felt that additional funds for Education could be ob— tained from Provincial Government resources in various ways.

However, it would seem that the general trend of thought regarding Consolidation and Regional High Schools has been predom- inant in the minds of the educators for over half a century — a re- port from a newspaper, dated March 29, 1903, states:

“In his annual report to the Board of Education Chief Super- intendent Campbell suggests a re-organization of the whole system of rural school management. He advocates an enlargement of school management, and expresses the opinion that better results could be obtained if the unit of management were extended to include a group of ten or more schools and school districts instead of one.”

“Use the gifts God gave you usefully for the benefit of others as well as yourself.” — Selected.

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*** THE HANDCRAFT VAN ***

This is the story of a covered wagon. It doesn’t cross the prairies as the so-called prairie schooner did years ago, but it does travel the highways of our little province at all seasons of the year, bringing to the women of the rural areas the opportunity to improve their skills in sewing and a variety of crafts. It is the Handcraft Van, started in September 1953, through the efforts of the Women’s Insti- tutes.

Sensing the need for such classes, the Provincial Board petit- ioned the Government to provide a Van and trained personnel, if the Institutes would undertake to furnish it with materials and equip- ment (sewing machines, looms, etc.) The first Van was a covered-in, half-ton Dodge truck well-supplied for courses in sewing, weaving, textile painting, glove making, copper tooling and leather craft. It was staffed by two smart young women, well trained and experts in their field. In recent years, a commodious station wagon has re-

placed the truck.

The first ten-day (two weeks) class was held at Emerald Junction, the second at Murray Harbor. The first instructors were Rose Marie Brown and Miss Taylor, followed by Bertha DesRoche

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