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Summer, 1939 NOTES FROM THE EASTER MEETING PROVINCIAL BOARD Board meeting was called at Efitdi'mto permit all members of the Board of the Federated Women’s In- stitutcs of Ontario to meet the new Superintendent, Miss Mary A. mark; and personally extend to her their welcome and assurance of co-opera- fion in Women’s Institute work. The Hon. P. M. Dewan, Minister of Agriculture, the guest speaker at the luncheon, emphasized his_ interest in having Rural Beaptification _made a Province-wide project, especially at the present time when there is a wave of sentiment in its favour, and re- quested the support of the Ontano itutes. 11"'Sl‘the Superintendent, Miss Mary A. kae, in addressmg the group, assured them that she appreciated being associated with the _Women's Institutes. In bringing greetings from the Department Miss Clarke said in part, “We need your support, yoUr ro-opcration and constructive sugges- ions". t on the announcement that Miss Florence Eadie, supervisor of the Junior work in the Women’s Institute llrunch, would attend the fourth Triennial Conference of the Associ- ated Country Women of the World, in England in June. a motion was passed appointing her the oH-‘icial representa- tive of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario with voting power. Mrs. Jean Atkinson of Lon- don, England, Ontario’s representative on the executive of the A.C.W.W., was .ilsri given voting power. First copies of the new national magazine, Canadian Home and Coun- try, the official journal of the Feder- ated Women’s Institutes of Canada, were at hand for all directors, and the informative and attractive little mag- azine was commended to all Women's Institute members by the Superin- tendent and provincial officers. It is felt that there is a place for both Canadian Home and Country and the provincial paper, 'Ontario Home and Country. It was recommended that Institute secretaries remit subscrip- tions to the new magazine for the local members. Owing to the illness nil Miss Hazel B. McCain, subscrip- lions and correspondence in connec- tion with the magazine should be sent to Mrs. Harley Dunham, Have- |ocl:, N.B., treasurer of» the Federated \Vonien's Institutes of Canada. A report of the activities of the Ontario Institutes, compiled by the department, had been sent the office of the Associated Country Women of the World, for the use of the presi- dent, Mrs. Alfred Watt, in preparing information relating to the movement to be given Her Majesty, Queen Eliza- heth. A copy of the report was read. ‘ Details in connection with the greet- ”‘E from the Ontario Institutes to be sent Her Majesty, the Queen, who is an Institute woman, were noted and the unanimous pleasure of the Board members expressed for the honour conferred on the Institutes. The retiring Board directors exâ€" ln‘essed the privilege and pleasant ex- iicrlence which had been theirs in servmg on the Board, and all extended best Wishes to their successors. Best wishes were also extended to Miss Clarke for a happy tenure of office. RED CROSS SOCIETY SENDS A “THANK YOU" The following is a letter received from Dr. _Routley, The Canadian Red Cross Society, Ontario Division: The Women's Institutes of Ontario have been very generous in connection Nth relief which the Red Cross is P‘I‘Vlng to the people who sufiered in t‘ e_ northâ€"western Ontario fire in the lininy River area. hope you may have an opportunity [0 Pass on to them the thanks of the Canadian Red Cross Society for the il’lfindld spontaneous donations which ave been made to this fund. HOME AND COUNTRY LEGISLATION CONVENER OUTLINES PROGRAMME “The world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings"â€"so sang the poet. The field of possibilities for legisla- tive study is also so full of a number of things that legislation conveners should be happy along with the rest of the world. To attempt to explore all the tempting bypaths of legisla- tive study is obviously an impossible task. And it is doubtful, if such ex- ploration were possible, whether the smattering of miscellaneous informa- tion thus gleaned would be of much lasting benefit to anyone. The real difiiculty is one of selectionâ€"to nar- row one’s choice to those studies which are most timely, most practical and most likely to develop abler citi~ zenship. Study of Government One subject which, more than any other, covers these requirements for Canadian women, is the study of gow eminent as we know it in Canada,â€" its evolution, history and achievement. It is important, when so many con- flicting ideologies and alien forms of government are keeping the world in turmoil, that we understand the nat- ure of our own Canadian constitution. In certain sections, also, there has risen a very strong outcry for the change and revision of the British North America Act, that historic piece of legislation which is the foun- dation of our form of Provincial and Dominion government. For these two reasons, Canadian women would be well advised to learn something of the story of the growth and develop- ment of responsible government in Canada. Two good books recomâ€" mended for sturlv are “Responsible Government in Canada" and "Cana- dian Federation." A beginning might be made with a study of the forms of local and muniâ€" cipal governmentâ€"the function of these bodies, their powers and limita- tions, method of election, tenure of oflice, their value to the country as bulwarks of democracy. An Institute studying this subject might visit its local council meeting to View that body in session. Such a visit might be a happy finale to a study of the text book previously recommended, “A Reader in Canadian Civics." Qualified Speakers The study of government lends itâ€" self admirably to the purposes of our Institutes because it may be under- taken and carried out by the members themselves. This is not true of all phases of legislation. When an Insti- tute goes outside its own circle for a special speaker to deal with a legislaâ€" tive topic, it is well to secure the ser- vices of the one properly qualified per- son to makesuch an addressâ€"n pro- fessional lawyer. While a person of another profession may give a fine address on “The Necessity of Making a Will”, it stands to reason that a lawyer will make a better one. Many Institutes may ask for other suggestions. To these your Convener would recommend “The Highway Traffic Act" and the bulletins and pamphlets on safe driving published by the Department of Highways. Much of the death, disaster and economic loss due to motor vehicle accident is traceable to ignorance of or infringe- ment of the law. There is urgent need for further education along this line. The recent Pasteurization Act pro- vides subject material for at least one meeting. To secure suggestions of a practical nature for Institute members in their study of Legislation, your convener- approached a well»known Woman lawyer with this question: "What in the field of Legislation, is of most importance as a special subject for Women’s Institutes ?" Her reply came without hesitation, “When I go out to address an Institute meeting, I do not discuss abstract laws or rhyme over a series of particular laws. But. I do try to interest them in learning more about their own status concerning HAVE YOU AN ARCHIVIST IN YOUR INSTITUTE? In presenting this, my first contri- bution to the work of the standing committee on Historical Research and Current Events, I wish to pay tiibute to its founder and provmcial convcner for iourteen years, Miss Elizabeth Appelbe of Georgetown. As your newly-elected provincial Convener, I wish the work to be car- ried on along the lines already plan- ned by my predecessor. In 1936, Miss Appelbe, cojoperatâ€" ing with the Provincial Archivist, re» pared a pamphlet entitled, "Uutme of Procedureâ€"Historical Research and Current Events”. I hope this pamphlet is in the hands of every area Convener, who, in turn. should pass on the information contained therein to District and Institute con- veners. A co iy of this pamphlet is in the Loan Coilection, Women's Insti- tute Branch, Department of Agricule ture. This pamphlet quotes our ob- jective as follows: “We desire that each county may have its own historical records printâ€" ed, dating from the time of its first settlement down to the piescnt, when the careful recording of current events of importance should take caie of that, which, in the future, will be history." _ A significant paragraph in an address from the London Area, proves that it is highly desirable that we Work toward this objective. It reads: “The County of Lambton is little more than a century old. Yet, in a single century, the history of its be ginning is difficult to secure.” Could your county refute the challenge of this statement? _ ‘ How far has the work on I-Iistori» cal Research progressed? Two re- ports answer: “Haldiinand County â€" After four years of effort, our book IInstitute History of Haldimand County' is now a reality, and is, as far as I know, the first district history to be pub- lished." “Simcoe CountyVWe are attempt- ing to compile the history of Simcoc County.” Institute Archivists: In all area re» poits, received by your provincial convener, there has been mention oi the presentation of excellent addresses on pioneer and current events. Re» garding these, may I stress this fact: Your Institute Convener of Historical Research is in reality a community archivist. In her possession should be a copy of every address relating to this topic and ii record of all current events of historical importance. These should be carefully pl'cscl‘vell and passed on to each succeeding con- vener. Soon a collection of valuable material will be available to form the nucleus of an interestin and authen- tic history of your towns in or county. (Contributer by Mrs. L. Reesor, Pro- vincial Convener of Historical Ite- search and Curient Events) property rights. There is a cry- ing mom for a thorough understanding by Canadian women everywhere of their rights under British law, in the holding and handling of property. A woman should know that she may rcâ€" fusc to sign a mortgage, that she does not have to sign off any real estate in order to give security to any credi- tor of her husband, that she has no dower rights in any cash, stock or bonds. or in any property held by her husband, except land. And ever and always she should know she should not sign anything until she is cerâ€" tain she understands definitely what she is signing. Women's property rightsâ€"that is what women ought to be studying." From whatever angle the study of Legislation is approached this year, let every Convener have as her goal, that the time and interest invested should reap substantial dividends in securing an ablcr, more informed, better equipped Canadian woman citiâ€" zen. (Contributed by Mrs. C. Hayes, Gconzetown. Provincial Convener of Legislationh GIRLS' CONFERENCE EMPHASIZES HOME AND FAMILY LIVING The theme of the 1939 Girls‘ Con- ference at the Ontario Agricultural College was “The Home and Family Living". Throughout the three-days programme, the four hundred and forty-six delegates were made more aware of the problems and possibili- ties of family life and the girl's re- sponsibility in the home. ‘ Much of the programme bore direct- ly on this theme, as the address by Miss Clarke, Superintendent of Women’s Institutes on “The Girl in the Family”; the panel discussion by six conference delegates and three members of the Women's Institute staff on “Living With Our Family”; also Miss Etlicl Chapman's address, "Reading for the Family”. Some of the highlights of the conference not so directly related to family living were Dr. Taylor's illustrated lecture, “How Plants Behave in Nature”, Dr. Reaman's discussion of “Fears and Phobias" and Mr. Donald McLean’s address, “The Rural Community Faces the Future". With this leadership the conference delegates considered personal, home and community problems, and, as we watched the busy pencils at each ses- sion, we know these questions would be discussed later in many family and community groups. Macilomild Institute students, under the direction of the stafi“, contributed in various ways to the success of the conference. The panel discussion by the Seniors, “What We Eat, We Are", empha. acd diet for health, and when the discussion was thrown open to all, the intelligent questions of the dclc- gates were as intelligently answered by the students. “What Shall My Wardrobe Be" was capably played by junior students. The physical educa- tion review was, as usual, particularly well (lone, with a grace and noise not developed by the old type or physical exercise. Here we would like to grate- fully acknowledge the excellent co< operation of the college staff through- out the conference. The visits to (life fcrent departments and the exhibits in Macdonahl Institute gave the dele- gates a glimpse of what is available to its students and to the rural public. _During the three ('nys of college life the girls lived under residence rules ratified by their own students" council, and at all times conducted themselves so well that they were complimented by Dr. Christie who re- marked thut there must be as many fine mothers back home. At the closing banquet, Mr. Reek, Deputy Minister of Agriculture for Ontario, was the guest speaker. He sdwscd the girls to assist in the movement for home beautification and also spoke of the opportunity which women have in their organizations for forming public opinion. From the time of registration and Miss Cruikslinnk’s address of welcome to the final parting from new friends, the‘days were filled with happy ex- periences and challenges to the girls. (Contributed by Miss Lulu A. Row, Women's Institute Staff). INSTITUTES OF CANADA CONVENE IN ALBERTA The Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada will hold their biennial con- vention in Edmonton, Alberta, October 4th to 9th, 1939. Representatives from every Province will be in attendance. Mrs. T. J. McDowell, Provincial Presi- dent‘nnd Mrs. W. I3. Leatherdzile, Pro- vmcial Secretary, will be Ontario’s delegates. While the long distance will prevent many of Ontario's Institute members attending the convention nevertheless it Is hoped that some will find it pos- sible to make the trip. The re- ports of standing committees, the messages of speakers and the oppors tunity to meet and receive suggcs~ lions from Women’s Institute meniâ€" bors of othcr Provinces cannot fail to Pive‘inspiration and assistance to any Institute worker. .