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spring. 1940 _’â€" LETTER FRIENDS REQUESTED In the Winter issue of Home and Country, attention. was called to the request of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes of Great Britain for correspondence with women of similar organizations in other lands. In this connection, the Hon. Frances Farrer has written: "One result of the war is to narrow one’s horizon and to give a feeling of isolation and we hope by means of such correspond- ence to do something to counteract this. In the summer, when we had the pleasure of acting as hostesses to delegates attending the Conference of the Associated Countrywomen of the World, our members very much enjoyed entertaining guests from other countries. Now that the chance of personal meetings for the time be- ing is suspended, it is more than ever important that our members should have the opportunity of communicat- ing with other countries through let- ters. We feel_ our members would gain very much from such correspon- dence and your members, too, might derive pleasure and interest by hear- ing at first hand about country life in England. I am enclosing a form which shows the information we would require from individuals who wish to become ‘Letter Friends’." On this form, the applicant is asked to give her name, address, state the language in which she will write and also whether, or not, she wishes to write to someone in any special profession or from any particular locality in Great Britain. A report in the February issue of The Countmwoman states that the scheme is meeting with excellent re- sults. Excerpts from the report fol- low: “The response has been over- \vhelming. Over three hundred ap- plications have been received and more are pouring in every day. About one hundred of these have been fixed up already. The first request to arrive came from a woman in Hel- sinki, who is now corresponding with a woman in Lincolnshire. A woman in Sweden wrote, ‘We are so happy you have started this letter writing in this dreadful time. We need internationalism just now. War breeds hatred and we must all do what we possibly can to encourage the feelings of friendship until that clay comes when all is one and we must start all over again.’ "In a letter sent from London, women were asked to specify what sort of a. correspondent they would like,â€"age, occupation, tastes. The variety of answers is astonishin . ‘I would like a friend in Section or Wales interested in art and litera- ture. Mostly I am painting land- scapes and fiowers’, came from SWeden. A woman in Missouri want- ad to write to someone who was in- terested in stock farming, as she her- self has a herd of registered Berk- shire hogs. A Norwegian wrote, ’I would like to con-es and with a lady, married, with chil ren, about forty hut she must be young in mind, and so situated that she, some day, could visit me in Norway when the war is over and we are once more happy again.” As stated before, Miss M. V. Powell, Women’s Institute Branc'h, Parliament Buildings, Toronto, Will be pleased to make contacts for any who are interested. PROTECT THE TRILLIUM Under the auspices of the If‘ield Naturalists an enthusiastic committee I5 planning an intensive campaign for the preservation of our native flowers. The trillium, floral emblem of Ontario. is receiving particular Vat- lention, and the fact that picking this flower destroys the plant is to be brought before the public as emphati- mlly as possible. It is hoped that all members of the Women's Institutes will give pub- lic“)! to this and will see that the childrenunder thEir supervision are might to enjoy wild flowers where and as they grow. and not pick them. HOME AND COUNTRY 3 PROVINCIAL BOARD EXECUTIVE CONVENES If, at its annual nieetin an disâ€" trict does not return itsg'FedeSi-ated Representative who has served one year on the Provincial Board, autoâ€" matically that district loses its up portunity for representation on the l’rovmcial~ Board for the succeeding year. This was a ruling passed at the Executive Committee meeting of the Provmcial Board which convened Easter week. 'l'heCenti-al War Charities Fund Committee reported that a charter had been received early in January and that there has been a ready and generous response to an appeal for contributions. A donation of $100.00 from the Provincial Federation start- ed the fund and, to March 30. $1,047.00 has been received from 500 Institutes. Plans for the use of this money are. under consideration and investi- gations are being made into possible avenues of service, with a view to using the fund toâ€" 1: Supply materials to Institutes which, because of location or for other good cause, cannot secure ma- terials locally. 2. Undertake special projects. ‘3. Make suitable substantial con< tributions for war service representa» tive of all the Institutes in Ontario. The members of the executive agreed that they would like to see this fund continue to grow so long as there is any need, A letter was sent to the Honour- able P. M. Dewan, Minister of Agri- culture, outlining general suggestions for war work of Women’s Institutes of Ontario, with special reference to Food Production and Conservation. The services of the Institutes were again offered to the Government for use in the promotion of Agriculture. The “Call to Prayer" submitted by Mother Superior Dora, which has been approved by all religious denomin- ations, was recommended for use. The deep sense of loss felt by the Provincial Board in the death of one of the directors, Mrs. R. J. McDonald, was placed on record and expressed in a two minute silent tribute. Mrs. R. J. Milligun of Cliil'ord succeeds Mrs. McDonald. With the departure of The Lady Tweedsmuir, who has been Honorary President of the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario, Mrs. T. J. lllc- Dowoll, past president and Miss Mary Clarke, Superintendent, each of whom held the oflice of Honorary Vice- President during Hei- Excellency'a residence in Canada, were made honorary presidents in accordance with the constitution. In connection with the proposed temporary transfer of the office of the Associated Country Women of tho World to a neutral nation, Ontario, as a constituent society. voted in favour of the headquarters remaining in Eng» hind for the present. (Mrs. W. B. Leatlicrdnle, Secretary), REPORT OF SPECIAL WAR TIME ACTIVITIES The following is a resume of the reports of special wartime activities sent in to the \Vomen’s Institute Branch for the period ending December 31, 1939. This report covers local activities and does not include contributions to the Central Fund, Federated Women‘s Institutes of Ontario, which are ucknowI- edged by circular letter. No. of Institutes in Ontarioâ€"1,371 No. of Institutes reporting 534 NOTE: Some late reports included January and February. These have not been tabulated here, but will be included in the next summary. Many Institutes felt that they had not progressed far enough to report as yet, but WIII report later. We hope that every Institute will fill in the next report form and icturn it at once so that our records may be complete. No. of Institutes co-operatin with the Red Cross Society_ {I34 No. of Institutes working on y with the Red Cross Society__.__ 436 No. of Institutes registered under the War Charities Act...“ 32 Total amount of money raised by Institutes__ ~_ $9,420.44 Money used for supplies_ _ $2,003.91 Money given to the Red Cros Society_._ $4.10HJ'39 Money given to other organizations. 3 11118.14 Kn ting Socks _ 4,301prs. Mitts _. Gllpra. Sweaters .___. 434 Knee cops 18pm. Scarves _ 275 Face cloths . m W 7 Wristlets _.__ _. 227 prs Gloves _- __.__ :lpra. Helmets ._._.._....â€"._ 13 Clothing or Hospital Supplies Pyjamas E. ’ 350 Personal ro erty bogs......_ rm Gowns ~._..._ 822 Handkerc i s __ 180 Bed Jackets ._.._...__. 291 Towela 12 Dressing Gowns 2 Bandages “2.1.11 Pillow cases 1,004 Water bottle covers 21; Sheets _ 48 Bed pan covers __.c .. Quilts 21 Compresscs __.._._ 24 Blankets 2 Wipers _._. ..___ 288 Bed pods _ 165 Wash cloths â€"..___ 8 Utility bags 100 The majority of those have been distributed through the Canadian “(HI Cross Society. Others have been given to local recruits, sent to evacuees or refugees or distributed through patriotic societies, the I.O.D.E. or thc Siilvn- tion Army. Other activities have included the sending of 11,500 lbs. of jam from the Norfolk county to Glasgow, Scotland, and to Lancnshirc, England; and supply» ing Christmas boxes for soldiers. Among the methods used for raising funds have been teas, pin a, duncrs. moving pictures, bazaars, chicken on catering, box socials, penny bags, pot pcra, aclling quilts, crnkino o parties, ck suppers. sale of Christmas cards, baking sales, talent moncy, nicklc-a-week Campaigns, amateur concerts, rum- mnge sales. conundrum teas, fairs and fashion shows. Rnyul 'lour pictures produced by the Canadian Government Motion Picture Bureau and by the Toronto Daily Star have been popular. ' When we realize that many of the Institutes felt that they had not Iro- greased far enough with war-time activmes to i'ciort for the period on mg December 31, we can feel that this is a very crc itable record. Reports {or 1940 will be acknowledged in subsequent issues of Home and Country. Be sure ur forms inl to seIltdiguiinly regrettable that figures cannot be securedywhich will record the tremendous contribution which our Institute members W1II make through food production and other means of waging the war on the home front. These con» tributions are not so easily measured, but are of equal value. Let us not them. neghicffiyou have pictures of your activities, or events of special interest, or special undertakings, do send them in with an accompanying story. They may help other Institutes. RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY PROVINCIAL BOARD The following resolutions were passed by the Provincial Board at the annual meeting in November 1939 and the Easter meeting in March 1940, and were sent to the authorities concerned. From Toronto Convention Area: 1. That the Women's Institutes en- dorse the resolution passed by the sheep breeders of Alberta and Sas- katchewan asking the Federal Govern- ment to enact legislation requiring all goods or fabrics made from wool to carry a label showing the percentage of virgin wool and all other sub~ stances used in its nlanufacturc. 2. That the Women's Institutes petition the Provincial Government to make X-Ray diagnosis of cancer uvoil- able (ll: a reduced or nominal cost. 3. That the Women’s Institutes commend the Government for such help us has already been given to “lo co-opcrntivc movement in Ontario and humny petition the Government to givc further encouragement to it in every possible way. (Resolutions similar to the above were presented from other Arcns). «l. That, in order to prevent night accidents at level railway crossings. the Women‘s Institutes ask the rail- ways to place reflectors or some equally distinctive signs on the part of the freight cars which come within the range of light of the headlights of on nutnmobilo. From Hamilton Coniu'ntion Armi: 5. That a protest bo nindc against the spread of commercial sport on Sundiiy throughout Ontario. (i_ That the Government be pctib ioncil to conduct n prurincc-wilh' r04 fercnilum to close beverage rooms, or fiiilini.r this, that the Government amend the Liquor Control Act, with- drawing the rimcmlmcnt by which bovvrugo rooms were opened in mild. From Rurri'v Cniii'cnlinn Arm: '7. Thnt the Dopurtnicnt limit llcli‘» gntus to the Girls’ Conference at Giir-lpli tn one from each Inalitutv, so tliiit more Institutes may lie rI-prc- sciitml at this Conference. R. 'l‘Imt liability lnsuruncv he made compulsory with IIll‘ issuance of u cur license. 9. That clover scvd und timolhy lm sown to prevent the growth of woods on rondsidcs when and hue: lm-n ll|" stroyu-ll because of the widening of the made. From (ho Lakr‘hrml Convention A rm : 10. That the llcimrtmvnl. «If Agri- culture he pctiLlnuml tn lll|\'l' n Home Ecnnllniiv grudiinli- sliilioiiml iii the linkchcud :lislriul for at lt-nsl. pan of the your. RI'snluliuiis nfll'n iiri'ivv ton lulcl I'lli‘ Clin<ld0rl|tlhli by Lin» I'l‘UVInl'iul mrxl. It is impnrliilit lIInL, immm y nflur Llu- «listi'ivL IIIIHlllII mm‘tliig, the district sm-rolnry .wiid the n-solulinns ilnrsvtl m m "mung in tho mn- \‘vhlJan l'unvcnur ul' Rvsnluliniis, who, in turn. will suntl Llinst- ii til, the (‘nnvontlun to the Prnviiirix ,unvciivr. (Ser- lingo ‘1 nl‘ this iasuc). Ciiruful thought. should ln- gin-n cncli rvmlutinn nnll all the ("FIR pure minim: ln ll. investigated by Lllnm' 1'0- sponsilill' for its pron-"mun". IN MEMORIAM It was with deep regret that we hcnrvl of the death of Mrs. Roy Mc- Dmiiilil, lliirrislnn, lb“. 3, the Pro. vinriul Hnurd mcmlmr f0 Subdivision 9, including Bruce North, East niid South, Perth North and Wellington North. Mrs. Mcllnnulil was elected to the Board lost full and we were looking forward to working with her during the next two years. The Institutes have lost an inter- ested and enthusiastic supiortcr. Mrs. McDonald a strength of c urac- ter, good judgment and personal charm made her not only valuable to the Institute movement, but a beloved friend of all who knew her. To her husband, and to her daughter and son we extend our sincere sympathy in their bereavement.