As a matter of fact a mere replica of the English Board would not have fulfilled a tithe of the objects we had in view.

That much at least we knew, but beyond that our information was vague.

What, having regard to Irish rural conditions, should be the character and constitution of any Department called into being to administer the aid required?
Here indeed was a vital and difficult problem.

Even those of us who had given the closest thought to the matter did not know exactly what was wanted; nor, if we had known our own minds, could we have formulated our demand in such a way as to have obtained a backing from representative public bodies, associations, and individuals sufficient to secure its concession.

Instead, therefore, of agitating in the conventional manner we determined to try to direct the best thought of the country to the problem in hand, with a view to satisfying the Government, and also ourselves, as to what was wanted.