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Fall &;Wiflt¢r, 1947.49 8 ' HOME AND COUNTRY INSTITUTE MEMBERS ALERT AND ACTIVE AS SECOND HALF-CENTURY BEGINS- Fall conventions have found our women to be active and alert,â€"willing to accept their responsibilities,â€" i'eady for new ideas and suggestions to better fulfil the motto ‘For Home and Country'. A new awakening of interest in Institute work has spread throughout the Province. Non-active members have become active, disbanded In- stitutes have reorganized, new In~ stitutes have sprung up and young women are coming to the fore. This was the encouraging picture aslit was gleaned in conventions this fa 1. Attendance has broken all previous records, Junior work received greater prominence and horizons were broad- ened by vivid reports of the recent world conference of our organization, the Associated Country Women of the \Vorld. .»\.t'.W.W. MEETING Miss Annii ll. Lewis, Director Women‘s Institute Branch and Home Economics Service, attending 10 con- ventio and Mrs. Hugh Summers, Provincial President attending 6 brought first hand information from the Amsterdam meeting. We were brought closer to country women all over the world, our horizons were broadened and we grasped a, fuller realization of our responsibilities as women in the world of today. At Belleville, Toronto and Ottawa conventions Mi s Lewis showed her coloured slides of Holland as well as those taken while visiting the Women's Institutes of England, Ireland, Scotâ€" laan and Wales. (Elsewhere in this issue the report: of the Amsterdam conference appears) DOMINION PRESIDENT Mrs. A. E. Maclllillan, newly elected F.W.I.C. President from Fairview, P.E.I. visited Toronto Area Conven- tion. She pointed out that women down through the ages have widened their viewpoint. “Woman’s place is not onlv in the. home but in all that affects the home, "Hence" said Mrs. MacMillan, “there should be a woman at everv council table and on every school board. History has demon- strated that down through the ages the foundation of all civilized progress is laid in the home. When the home becomes weakened, disintegration be- izins which extends to the community and the notion. Peace is the first desire today and since ignorance and poverty are the main causes of war, these are enemies we must attack" Advocating ii \vidci- immigration policy Mrs. Macmillan said, “Canada will never become a first rate power until she has ii much greater popula- tion. There should be careful selec« Canada lion of immigrants; is a country of great 1 . urces but these will never be developed with our present population" She also urged that we «In more to stop the emigra- tion which is tukIIIL’ so many potential leaders from our country to larger opportunities outside Canada. “Support your own W. 1. cream ization” was sound advice handed on by our Dominion president. “Remem- ber that while money is not our first interest, our organization must have monev to work efl‘ectivelv". Other highlights at Toronto Area Convention included an exhilarating address entitled “Happy Homes make Good Citizens” bv Mrs. J. A. Clurc, lecturer in Child Psychology at Muc- donald Institute. Guelph. Mrs. Clare pointed out that the home was the fundamental traininu: place for youth. Children should be taught to respect authority which is reasonable and affectionate, that children must be given responsiblity and encouraged to grow up. Parents must at all times tell the truth. Children are very sen- sitive. If they find out once they have been told an untruth, they will never go back to that source again. That is why so many shy away from discuss- ing with their parents love or sex or matters pertaining to growing up. Mr. John Fisher, of radio fume. in ii witty yet thought-provoking speech gave an appraisal of Canadian characteristics. He described Cun- adians as sectional in their loyalties, lacking national character (did you ever hear a joke about a Canadian?) but so skilled in compromise that they are making a great contribution to the settlement of tangled inter- national problems. _ Guest speaker at the luncheon Era Excellency the Honourable Per WiJkâ€" mann, Minister to Canada from Sweden told about our mobile canteen donated by the F.W.I.O. to the Save the Children Fund. New stocked with food, clothing and medical supplies in Sweden and carrying Swedish and Canadian flags, it has joined the 30 trucks and canteens assembled in Sweden for relief work on the con- tinent. THE NORTHERN CONVENTIONS The twin towns of Kenora and Keewatin welcomed the delegates from Thunder Bay, Rainy River and Kenora Districts. One very com- mendable activity was a visit by the delegates to a. Mobile Chest Clinic where every member who had not previously had an X-ray was given this examination. Aside from its primary value to the members, many of whom, because of the isolation of their homes, might never ordinarily have access to the service, there should be, through this contact, a stimulation of interest in this type and other types of governmental health services among the Institutes. The mass movement among the dele- gates from the convention hall to the clinic provider] some excellent pub- licitv. When the suggestion was made to the delegates that they take the test, there was not a single dissenting voice. The entire convention was marked by a happy, harmonious, progressive spirit. At the close of the last session a young delegate remarked enthu» siaatieally, “I'm so glad I came, you've no idea how much I've learned from this convention! And am I ever glad I joined the Institute in the first place!" The highlight of the Manitoulin Convention was the outstanding exâ€" ccllenee of the standin committee reports, not one of whici was weak. pooi'lv prepared or poorly presented. So often reports fail to do justice to the work actually being accomplished. Reports generally, throughout the province, this year have been com- prehensive and stimulating. In Algoma, in spite of thunder. Iiuhtning and deluges of rain neither enthusiasm nor attendance were dnmnened. The sessions were well handled and discussions were lively. In this Area Women's Institute mem- bers have served on the school boards, also as poll clerks and deputy re- turning officers. A "Good Neighbour contest" broue‘l’it much publicity to the Institute sponsoring it. Huntsville set aside a whole evenâ€" ing for recreational entertainment in- cludin-i: music, films and one address. Mnnv husbands and town folk were in attendance. Cochrane Area heard many fine addresses as they carried out the theme. "As Lone as we Have Homes to Which Men Turn, we Have Sure Hone". "Home is not the corner stone of the world but rather the foundation of the world", said one speaker, "Thus the hope and peace of mind, of com- miiiiities, of countries of the world are centred around the klnd of home we have. As homemakers the members of the Women’s Institutes have a great task before them to create love, hope and peace in the home and to spread from their homes to the heart of the world". MOTHER GOES TO COLLEGE AT GUELPH! At the Guelph Area Convention delegates lived in residence and enâ€" joyed the advantages of campus life. A highliirht of the convention was a very sharp debate., "Resolved that parents pt the past ‘cnomtlmi did more to prevent juvenile delinquency than parents of today.” _ . Dr. Flora Little gave_a stirring address on Health and thId Care. At Hamilton Area it was most fitting that Stoney Creek stage the pageant “Fifty Years Ago . Those -taking part were all relatives of the hatter members. _ _ c Colonel T. L. Kennedy, Minister of Agriculture, as guest speaker at Hamilton, emphasized the important part rural women .play. in successful farm and community life. In welcoming the delegates Con- troller Nora Frances Henderson ‘Piild high tribute in these words, The Women’s Institute stands second. to none in all of Canada in its practical idealism, in civic interest and pnder- standing and positive results in the activities both in this provmce and outside". ‘ Belleville and Siincoe Areas w re honoured by the presence of the De- puty Minister of Agriculture, Mr. C. D. Graham. who gave a comprehen- sive and informative talk on Agri- culture in this Province. Kingston had the great advantage of meeting last year on the campus of Queen's University. Dr. R. Wallace, Principal, Queen’s University and Dr. A. V. Douglas. Dean of Women, always bring inspiration and much food for thought. We look forward to a larger attendance and more young people at Kingston Convention next year. ‘ Resolutions throughout the provmce were varied and for the most part sound. Because these are dealt with under Board activities we need not dwell on them here. At London Area. Byrne Hope Sanders, well-known women’s editor, gave sound advice on resolutions. “We women often do not study facts before passing resolutions. When resolutions ask for changes which are already on the Statute books. it weakens the status of the organization in the eyes of the government. Know the facts: send the resolution to the right oer- son or persons; then be sure to follow it up". OUR JUNIORS Our Juniors wcre renresented at all conventions. At Guelph, London, Ottawa. Toronto, Hamilton and Belle- ville they held the Spotlight providing demonstrations, exhibits and construc- tive entertainment. We hizhlv com- mend this partieipation of our Juniors. In planning next year's programs we hope all conventions will see fit to provide time for Junior Club Mem- bers themselves to take part. MORE FUN AND ENTERTAIN- MENT More fun and entertaimnent was the general rule at conventions this fall. And how we need that fun at our meetings! Let's have more of it! May we never become so serious settling the problems at hand that we forget to be human, Barrie and London are to be highly commended on their use of home talent: The respective conventions went into galea of laughter as Mrs. Mary Capin led in the Lambeth Walk staged by Georgian W. I., Simcoe County and Alvinston W.I., East Lambtoii, depicted the Seven Ages of Woman. At Ottawa and Toronto bright inter- ludes of folk dancing provided relax- ation and entertainment to round out the well-planned program. Our beloved Laura Rose Stephen who firmly believes in leavening the serious sessions with gaiety brought wholesome laughter to the London audience as she reminisced about her early days in Institute work. Relaxation and variety were pro- vided at other conventions by child-, ren’s choirs, soloists, elocutionists, skits by members as well as motion pictures and slides. _ At several of the Northern conven- tions the husbands were invited in to share in the enjoyment of evening banquet. and entertainment. ' . ' .36 Luncheons at Manitoulin Islanir Algoma, Barrie, Ottawa and Torontu.‘ banquets at Guelph, Kenora, Cochrano' Huntsville and London and a special anniversary -tea at ‘Belleville all pm. vided an opportunity to mm“, 01,] acquaintaneea, meet new members um] share friendly experiences with our neighbours. At all conventions lusty communitc singing, including action songs, 23,32. our women a chance to stretch their lungs as well as their persons. Tllnge chairs do become awfully hard an” the first hour of listening to rcpom and speeches, especially for actiw energetic farmers’ wivesl After ;l little fun and relaxation we‘re remix. to go at it again! ' Orchids to Mrs. Fred Oater, Cl man, London Area for starting .y ,, session right on the dot! Let u; strengthen our conventions next war by assuring our members that “h . any one is there or not the conv will start at the appointed hour. will be thereâ€"and on timel Asked at Ottawa convention "\l tint has impressed you most about [his meeting?” Miss Ina Hodgins, beloved area secretary-treasurer replied “1 believe it is the friendly utmosp .m and homey feeling of comradi hip among members". This feelinr of kinship does permeate our Inst. .te gatherings. Members go back n- riched for this happy association ml inspired to meet the tasks ahead *h greater courage and strength. Much needs yet to be done. i u- ventions 1947 were most encoura up but let us plan now for even bw wr conventions in 1948. See that not i lIl' our faithful, hardworking meii‘uis attend but also our “lukev m sti-agglers”. We can assure you er will not be "lukewarm stracel after they have experienced IiIIt in. vieorating atmosphere of a it planned and efficiently carried *lli convention. If a single word or phrase c llil sum up the spirit of conventions his fall that phrase would be "Forv it] â€"Looking". Though the aChIEVellli its and accomplishments of the past v "2 bv no means discounted, the eyes it all seemed to be focused on a future. its needs and problems il how these might be met in term; i Institute work by Institute men-h. FOURTH NATIONAL HEP ’H WEEK The Fourth National Health \ uk. February 1-7, 1948, bids fair to a Brand success. The Health beam of Canada is Sending to the 3,000 'iil more Women’s Institutes of Cm 'u. an announcement of this week 0. 20 page booklet “Health packed with vital statistics and special data regarding major Vs nesses, e.e. information regardinr for work of health agencies and 4 her valuable material. _ Plan now for your health niecniw in February. Your Medical Officw {it Health or some other physician Will be glad to help you if you his a speaker or in assisting you to so i”? a speaker. "Health Facts" Will lit i'ri value in providing up-to-date stri'isr tics and other material. _ We shall count on the active to operation of the Women’s InstitulES of Canada in fighting the great Mill? against disease and untimely llr“Il half of which the doctors ESSUI'I’ us is preventable. (Dr. Gordon Bates, Director, Hl‘i‘m‘ League of Canada) ; the Christmas nlay, "Christn‘igs' direction of Mr‘s‘iC‘ Zarake. Listowel ‘ 6‘th Voted SWI- r the Purim-w & hall. I '. ' "afield a in" -" ' #“ii‘u‘f‘ishjni: we 3 WHO iuww