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First National Convention THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT u T is better to light a candle than to 1 grumble at the dark," said Mrs. Nancy Adams in her presidential address at the first convention of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada held in Ottawa October 28 to 31. Mrs. Adams went on to say that the ancn‘s Institutcs throughout Canada had lighted many candles, each candle represent- ing another ctfort. another responsibility acct-pied. At this national convention, deleâ€" flllit'S from every province of Canada were assembled to celebrate the Institutes‘ sixtieth anniwrsary to pay tribute to the founders of ll'u'- Institute movement. “to say ‘Thank you' In the mother Institute at Stoney Creek and to mi-mhcrs of the Federated Women‘s Insti- llltis of Ontario and the Department who lighter! and tended the first candles and have ke-pt the more and more lights shining all thus:- years." Mrs. Adams spoke of the value of a national convention in helping members from different provinces to know one another, to understand our anolhcr's problems and to work together. She suggested that a convention might be held li'iennially but not in an international conven- tion year. "A convention may seem expensive, but." said Mrs. Adams “when we consider the mom-y raised by Women's Institutes for other enterprises it does not seem too much to ask a branch to raise $10 for themselves." Mrs. Adams stressed the importance of membership participation in a complicated society where other interests may crowd out the Women's Institute. The strength of the national orgaâ€" nization. the president said, came of being organized from the local level. We must keep our feet on the. ground and the organi- zation close to the individual member. The president explained the need of a national office in view of the increasing work of running a growing national organization. Contributions have already come in from sew-n provinces. The fund remains open. voluntary and is given only once. (It was decided later. for the immediate future, to set up an office conveniently near to the home of the incoming president.) Mrs. Adams' final word of encouragement as retiring president was the thought: “There is not enough darkness in all the world to blow out the light of one small candle.” Message From The Prime Minister The Prime Minister. the Hon. John Diefen- baker and Mrs. Diefenbaker attended the opening, session. Speaking of the contribution of women to the national life Mr. Diefenbaker referred to the graciousness of the Queen in opening the Canadian Parliament; to the a pioneer work of Agnes McPhail. thc man member of the House of Comm-tr“.- Carinne Wilson, the first woman men 2.. II the Senate and to Ellen Fairclough. I _ woman Cabinet Minister. “Parliament i it Q; by fully representative," said Mr. Diet: ._..;.. “until we have more women in Far I and in the Cabinet." The Prime Minister referred to ‘r acquaintance with Women‘s Insth. Homemakers’ Clubs as a boy on a Saskatchewan. and to the way tht exchanged information on homemakin ing to build and maintain the tratll. good homes. Now the organization -' from British Columbia to Newfoundl: a broadened programme extending community and the world comintn building a great citizenship â€" not v but spiritual. “To live with our not; home and abroad in an international ni hood. we must have the spirit whit-i essence of your organization." Mr. Diet said. “When Khrushchev launched tl moon he did a great thing for fret-- shaking people out of their apathy. i a unity that knows no geographical cm tions can we achieve peace in the we! Dr. J. G. Taggart brOught greetings t Canada Department of Agriculture - . Hon. W. A. Goodfellow from the Onto ll partment. Both pledged the support t Departments to the Women‘s Institul Yul Goodfellow said that the Institutes wm ‘ ing forward in things so sound and g: sive for the home and the communl 'hr his Department was glad to support thi ' ment. knowing that in so doing tht . spending the taxpayers‘ money in a . reap the greatest benefit. Tweedsmuir Awards Mrs. J. Freeborn of Saskatchewan pl'< the trophiES won in the national Twr-w competitions. The Handicraft competition in Hopi.- was won by Penticton in British Co with the second prize going to WC.“ Ontario and honorable mention to l1 Homemakers' Club in Saskatchewan Awards for Tweedsmuir Historic,» ‘.t|> given, first to Sunshine, Coutts Bay. A {"1 second to Summerland, 8.0; and hm U" mention to Haystack Bay and Minedtm W!- in Ontario. First prize in the Cultural project. . Painting, went to King, Ontario; seem-l ' Red Deer. Alberta, with honorable n to Summerland, BC. In a letter of greeting to the cont W“ Lady Tweedsmuir reminded the women ' ing on local histories, that when TrtWHW (I; HOME AND COUNTRT