benefit through association with a national body.
Communications and co-operations with their counterparts
in the rest of Canada would be greatly enhanced; joint
attacks on common problems would be made possible.

The potters of Ontario will be in a similar position very
shortly. In Quebec the potters have been well organized,
independent and able to take care of their own needs

for some time; as their needs expand a national body

will prove useful. The Maritimes, which I think may
include Newfoundland in this reference, have demonstrated
that they can combine to form a viable working body

and the potters recognize generally the usefulness of
broadening communication. The potters of Manitoba and
Saskatchewan are separated and scattered so they have no
broad formal associations, but I think I know them well
enough to know that they will find a way to be included
if they think it will be useful to them. British
Columbia is experiencing a very strong surge of ceramic
activity, this is throwing the organizational alignments
into a state of flux; however, this is not likely to
stand in their way.

I have accepted the responsibility of gathering together
and heading a committee of capable representatives of
the ceramic artists of Canada, to examine this proposal
and any others that are submitted. We will then present
the plan that represents the truth of the matter. The
Guild has committed itself to act on that truth. I!
admitted at the outset that this would be neither

simple nor easy.

[ should point out here that the problems of financing
and of the diplomacy of representation are considerable.
Financing of this sort of thing is not presently
available in all provinces, and provinces do not join

in contributing to common financial pools. Financing
may be irregular for a few years. The assigning of
representation will be accompanied by some distressing
politicking. We will simply have to resolve those
problems as they arise.

[t should be recognized that the committee may find
that the clay and glass working artists of Canada do
not want a national organization. That would be as
valuable as any other finding, we are after al] simply

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