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Published by The Ontario Women‘s Institutes at Toronto, Ontario HOME and COUNTRY Volume 6 Mrs. Ernest Duke of Port Carling was unanimously re-elected President of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario at the annual meeting of the Board, Toronto. November, 1940. The President extended reetings ti, the 38 newly organized omen’s Institutes and welcomed them into the Federation. She expressed appre- ciation of the sup ort she had re- ceived from the 0 cars and general membership and the co-operation of the Department. Special War-time Activities Selecting from the various sugges» lions for war work resented by the (‘enti-al Fund Committee, a campaign nus launched to swell the War Chari- II Fund to $3,000.00. This amount ‘LIS set as the immediate objective to furnish a ward (32 bed, hutment) in IL Canadian hospital in England. A sum of $500.00 was voted from lllt‘ Central Fund to the Federated \\umen’s Institutes of Canada Nab munl War Gift to the Canadian Min- lxiL’r of Defence: to be used for the purchase of equipment wherever the Ilvell is greatest. The Board named Mrs. Duke con- mncr of the Central Fund Committee, uith the following personnel: Mrs. T. .I. McDowell, Mrs. L. Reesor, Mrs. C. J, Russell, Mrs. D. Z. Gibson, Miss ldnry A. Clarke as honorary member, and Mrs. W. B. Leatherdale, secre- wry-treasurer. The report of the Central Fund l'unimittee to date, given by Mrs. Mike, described the gifts of furniture hich had been made to the troops ivi'eational rooms, R.C.A.S.C. at Wimp Borden. The total receipts had rmirhed $2,004.10 and, with expendi- llll'l‘S of $795.13, the balance Novem~ Mr 1, was $1,208.97. Mrs. Duke ex- pressed thanks for the contributions 'hich the Institutes had made in supâ€" irt of the Provincial war effort. 1 stitutes were urged to promote the - do of War Savings Stamps. Importance of Agriculture The Deputy Minister. of Agricul- tui-r. Mr. W. R. Reek, and Mrs. Reek 'crc guests at the Board dinner. In :in after-dinner address, Mr. Reek winplimented the members on their 'lll‘ work and the busy season of him making just concluded. He urged the Women’s Institutes in their \‘_:ii' work to retain their organiza- linn as a unit and wnrk in compara- Hon with other organizations. Mr. lieek referred to agriculture as being much more important on this con- tinent than we have been willing to adopt and pointed out that we must recognize the changes going on in agriculture. He mentioned the defin- ite _trend toward mechanization of sci‘iculture owing to the shortage of hibour. He challenged the Women’s Institutes by suggesting that there will be many problems which they must help solve. Miss Mary A. Clarke, Superinten- dent. brought greetings from the De- partment. She stated that throuzb the interest of the Honourable P. llcwan, Minister of Agriculture. I“ the educational work in rural Ontario. the Women’s Institutes of Ontario are given strong support. Miss Clarke outlined the work done by the Wo- men’s Institute Branch in 1939-40 and expressed. her appreciation of the Supportgiven by the senior Institutes to the Juniors. The Superintendent COll‘g'ratulatcvj the Board directors on their election to the Provincial Board Md gave helpful suggestions for the Performance of their duties. (Continued col. 4 this page). WINTER, 194041 Number 4 PROVINCIAL naming Irom leIl Io right: ' riinxr Row “H, .v. lSuFl'TlIIIFIIJLnll, Mn I r um. «an (Hon. in \[is< C \‘rniull . . \\' ll , )ILCriL'. n C. Helium, Bier Ilowâ€" lullé, ,\lr>. l' \‘nnziiiu. Mr . LlVIlIIln, Mrs. C .l in Indie ll‘ri-mlridi. in. .I. c Thompson. hll's II. x, mm...“ , Mrs G. llnlllllluli, Mrs. E. l’l'lll‘nlln. M BDARD Knit-II. .‘IIlllL'IIII, .\II.-‘~£ Mnry A. Clarke imiliv-niuiu (Sec'y ri-na.), Mrs. Mrs. [-1. . i. lion-«Ir, E. \vuwn. .\lr\ .\‘. PM on, Mn 1‘ porn. Mrs, C \v. .tlllt'}, Minx Jtny RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT Emma M. Iiukc, Provincial President. Looking back for a moment over the past year, as Prcsidcnt of the Federated Women’s Institutes of OnA tario, many and varied are the picâ€" tures which pass before my mind's eye. IIuw prone we are to confine cur concepts of Women’s Institute activi- ties within the sphere of our own local and district organizations. We do not take into consideration that there are ninety-six districts, and one thousand three hundred and ninety In- stitutes in the Province of Ontario. They are all carrying on programmes similar to our own but with local conditions contributing to variations in achievement. A year ago, I was a completi- stranger to most Women's Institute members throughout the Province. Today, I hope you feel better ac~ quainted with inc. I certainly‘have very pleasant and fresh memories oi my meeting with many of you. The district annuals which I attended last Spring, and the more recently :it- tended conventions, provided a won- derful opportunity for us to meet each other. It also afforded me a clearer insight into the important part Women’s Institutes are playing in our world today and in the lives of rural Ontario women. I thank you for your gesturesK of friendship. The old saying, , the world is a small place after all.’ was evidenced on more than one occasion. You have all made cpntributions worthy of our organization to your homes, to your community, and to Ontario's war effort. Through the re- ports of your standing committcc conveners. it is quite eVIdent you are aware of your responsibility and are eager to make the most efiectivc and lasting“ effort possible. Papers pre- pared on topics of the hour, speakers and study groups, all tell at varied interests and all open new phannels of thought. Your interest in rob- lems of legislation is evident. vood and its relation to the health of those within our household is a very vital question today. Consumer education and modern methods of conseryation are also prominent in your studies. want to congratulate you all on your past year‘s achievements. Ahead of us lies another year, and we are still at war. What have you planned to do this year? In your educational programmes you have planned a more intensive study of world affairs, of education. of health, perhaps, or Canadianization. Demon- strations are valuable. and the social and cultural aspects of our meetings must not be overlooked. What have you planned as your war ell‘ort'! First, you have made a resolve to support the Central Fund of the Federated Vl’ouieii’s Institutes of Ontario by your personal contribu- tions, three thousand dollars of which will be used to furnish n ward in a Canadian hospital in England. Next, no doubt, you plan to look to the coni- forts of the local boys who are serv- ing in some capacity in His Majesty’s forces. Then, too, perhaps you plan to work in cooperation with the Red Cross or for the Navy, or the Salvaâ€" tion Army. or any of the many chan- nels which are open. To those who are finding it (lifiicult to “carry on", take stock. find out why. In some cases you know the answer, again you may not. Are your programmes uninteresting: or out of date? Does the business session of your meetings drag? Arc your meet- ings late in starting and later in end- ing'! Look for the solution, and remedy aIIalrs. Give your nfliccrs all the support you can. The success or failure of a meeting does not rest entirely on the officers. It is your responsibility too. If every member goes to a meeting prepared to make some contribution to that meeting, succesa will be assured. Again this year, as in the past, there will be those to whom the hand of welcome extended will never be forgotten, and will mean more than we will ever know. The invitation to all non-members in the community to 'oin the Institute will be mutually elpful. The friendly visits to sick and shut»in friends are long remem- bered. The many acts of thoughtful kindness will be appreciated this year, as they have been in the past. Guard well the identity of our or- ganization. Post contributions have been valuable. and we have still more valuable contributions to make to the Ontario and the Canada of the future. F. W. I. 0. BOARD REVIEWS AND PLANS ACTIVITIES It was made clear that the Lenis- lative grant to Institutes is to be used for educational purposes and is not to be given to another organiza- tion nor voted to meet other demands. Letter Friend Scheme A message from the Honourable Frances FBI‘I‘EI’, General Secretary of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes, expressed appreciation of the response to the Letter Friend scheme by some 15 Ontario members now keeping up regular contac . An excerpt from the letter follow “The practical help and sympathy of Can- adian Women's Institutes is the greatest support just now and we should like to express our thanks to your members for all that they are doing for us. Just lately, of (our - they have added to their many nd deeds by welcoming and taking into their homes British children, and In- stitute members in this country will feel greatly ('llDCl'QLl to think that their children may be groin): lo homes of your members". The Lady ’l‘weedsmuir. in acknow- ledging the message of Ontario Wt» men's Institutes upon iii-r departure from Canada. wrote in part: l‘I am taking up my Institute work in Eng- land agnin and am so irlzid to hear that you u going on corresponding with the British \Vninen's Institutes. I hope that you will never hesitate to write to me if there is anythini: that you want to know.” Arm-osmium cxprr‘mmd for the fui't iei'ani'o of the Iicttcr Friend scheme thruth the kind nttcntinn of Miss M. V. Powell of the Department. Discussion Forum ‘ An innovation :it tho Runrd nicel- mg was a discussion forum lll’KlCl' thrcc tnpil‘s with leaders (is follows: Hon" n. I‘mulucl EleClImlSiletl l3\’ Miss Mary A. Cliirkc. I How to Present F‘.VV.I.0. at District Annuals led by Mrs, T. J. MC~ Dowel]. How to ('nnlnile Ilisli'irl Annual Repni'ts~ led by Mrs. W. B. Lenthcrdulo. Secretary's Report The so 'i-l-irv's report showed that the llf‘tl\ltl|'.~ ..r the Women's Instiâ€" tutes had Iwun of wide interest and s._-npe and um qurh wnrlhvwhilc ser- vice had licrn rendered. Co-opernâ€" [inn with nthm' organizations and lifl'Pl’lf'IOs lind horn furthl’rcd. A latter of grouting and welcome to (‘anadn lind liven Sent to Her Rnynl l'Iir'hncss. I‘rincl-ss Alice. and this had been I’ ‘nuslv acknowledged by Honorable Ariel Baird, l.:idv»in~Wait- mug “Her Royal Hiirhnes. is most anxious to son as niurh :is possible of the wonderful work of \Vnmen‘s In- stltutcs i’ll’lll Imka fnrward tn meetinE the members On her return to Ottawa in October." Some Tli lnatitulcs had contributed to the jam-milking enterprlsc. An outstanding publicity feature was the Women’s Institute lionth III the Canadian National Exhibition, 1940. Lettch had been written to all those who contributed to this work, thanking them for their voluntary efforts which helped so much to make the exhibit a success. 200 copies of “Call to Prayer" had been distributed. 8.542 song sheets and 201 copies of the Hand Book had been sold. Some 1,500 letters had been writth during the Federation year. Recommendation was made that Institutes continue to encourage the use of Travelling Libraries in centres (Continued on page 4, col. 4).