(Webmaster’s Note: The following was the foreword to the 1938 Annual Review published by the British Columbia Philatelic Society.)

The brain-workers and manual workers of today need a hobby — some quiet pursuit of perennial interest and charm to smooth their journey through a none-too-easy world. Pleasure is an elusive thing which, in its more dramatic moods, is apt to be evanescent. Some find it, more or less fleetingly, at the theatre or in night clubs, others on the golf links or in whipping trout streams; but all are seeking, whether they realize it or not, that "golden mean" which wise old Horace recommended as the best foundation for human happiness and contentment.

The philatelist, it seems to me, is to be envied, for apparently he has found his golden mean. His philosophy may be difficult for some to comprehend, but it carries him along happily enough to his particular Nirvana. The strain of modern business life and the worries of a workaday world disappear as if by magic when he opens up his albums and goes to work on his beloved stamps or shows them to understanding and perhaps envious friends. One's leisure time cannot be all spent out of doors, and too soon there comes a day when strenuous occupations are beyond us. Recently an eminent Canadian financier took up philately on the express advice of his physician, so strongly was the latter of the opinion that he should have some keen hobby to fall back on when his active business life ceases.

No need to point out here the extraordinary flexibility of the hobby; its wide appeal to young and older minds and its adaptability to the means of rich and poorer folk. Stamp collecting needs no boost from anyone; it is here to stay. Philately is now more firmly entrenched than ever, after eighty years of increasing growth. For one thing, there is now so much money invested in it that collectors could not, even if they would, "let go".

My department is endeavouring to co-operate with philatelists by rendering them prompt, expert and authoritative service. Indeed, I am proud to be able to say that our Philatelic Division has been widely acclaimed the most efficient of its kind. With a policy of moderation in our stamp issues, a programme of scholarly research in Canadian philately and adequate service to philatelists, the department is, I feel, making a definite contribution to the "science and practice of philately"; and as its Head I am proud to have had a part in this good work.