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‘ HOME and COUNTRY Published by The Ontario Women's lnstitutes at Toronto 2, Ontario Volume 10 WINTER, 1944-45 WAR WORK REPORT chorts of war work for the six- months period May 1, I?“ to October J11 1944, have been received from 100:; Winncn‘s Institutes or 80.6 per cent. [If these 724 are tic-operating with the Red Cross Society. A summary of the reports follows: Money raised ...... ’â€" $63,499.75 Expenditures Gifts to local enlisted mcn $33,922.34 \l‘uol and sewing supplies . 5,755.41 l‘rntral Fund, F.W.I.O. __ 1,605.64 l'ul Cross .. .. w 4,279.96 \zlvy League â€"â€" 1,955.58 idly Bags _ 3.107.20 ~..lvation Army War Work 2,114.57 1': il ish Wor Victims‘ Funds 979.82 limited Notions’ Relief Funds __. ’ 463.38 I. v' i tis h Minesweepers' Auxiliary 175.83 Mill: for Britain 791.57 ' ' 7,185.00 , 307.84 umnd donors‘ clinics .. _ 318.27 l ilcs of clothing ~_.. _. 428.23 \:zr Savings Certificates and Bonds __ 5,837.52 .mlry ._..._..__... _.. 1.537.36 Work Done ‘ nitting (articles) _.. 21,919 i .ving (articles) 42,754 in and Honey provided A ...._ lbs. 26,377 . . War Savings Certifi- Lates Filled 138 V’nod Donors 2,813 Blood Donors It has been interesting to watch in: increase in the number of blood unors reported. Realizing the urgent and, and that c ' ics are now visiting communities regularly, we . draw this opportunity for serv- to the attention of all who can unnte. Central Fund. F.W.I.0. It will interest you to compare the nutributions to the F.W.I.0. Central Kund with those to other war chari- ‘ms. By this time every Institute will ‘vnve received from the provincial president the appeal for contributions .uultwe hope for your generous sup» l'nl . Seeds for Britain In December and early January 0’0 assortments of seeds costing 5.68, including shipping charges, ‘ rc sent to the National Federation vi Women’s Institutes of England for distribution. Each assortment included I'lk'lll: to ten varieties of vegetables, willicient of each for an average harden. Mr. W. J. Downing, Colborue. (main generously donated 20 pounds of tomato seed. Service League for British Ships To exliress the appreciation of the F.W.I.0. for the services of the ~men who "go down to the sea in ships," lllans are under way to provide coniâ€" forts to the value of about $600.00 for a British naval vessel to be built at Port Arthur. A complete list of comforts provided will be published later. In addition. the W.I. members In the Thunder Bay District plan to take'the vessel under their wing and prowde such treats as small gifts to take home to wives and babies. candy and other personal gifts. SERVICE - KEYNOTE 0F CONVENTIONS Conventions hold at Guelph, London and Toronto in the late fall were equally as interesting as those which preceded them. In every city the local press has given excellent reports, but cther_areus will be interested in a [cw hlghlights. The London Convention Area cele- brated its thirtieth anniversary at the dinner, with the past chairmen offici- ating in the cake~cutting ceremony. Both London and Guelph centred their deliberations around the theme of the Women's Institute in the Post-War World. The Toronto convention theme was “'For Greater (Io-operation and Sennce in Rural Life”. The chairman of the Toronto convention epitomized the thoughts underlying the three con- ventions when she said that this is no time for complacency or concern for trivial matters. but that, as rural women we have a great duty for f'oiinniunity, national and international | c. The objectives held before the Women’s Institutes by guest speakers and members as worthy of achieveâ€" ment today and in post-war days were many and varied. Always they in- cluded thought for the spiritual Life of the family and community. In ad- dition interest was expressed in im- proved agriculture, rural hydro, bet- ter housing, library and educational facilities, better health services and the eradication of communicable di- seases. establishment nnd supervision of community centres, welcoming overseas brides of Canadian service men. thoughtful planning for the re- establishmeut of men and women from the armed services, intelligent use of the franchise. and the foster- ing“ of national unity and internation- al understanding. Mrs. Alfred Watt. President, A.C. W.W. attended all three conventions. She asked members whether we use the district, provincial, national and international machinery of the Wom- en's Institutes to the best advantage, to make our united voice heard throughout the World. Members of the Junior Homemakâ€" ing Clubs and Junior Institutes play- ed an important part in makinv these conventions interesting. Their demon- strations and skits were ufginal, varied. sometimes humorous and al- ways informative. The friendly spirit of all conven- tions, the interchange of thought. the practical suggestions and thc inspir- ution received sent members back to their Institutes and districts With re- newed enthusiasm for better Institute work. CONSUMER BRANCH W. P.T.B. From the Loan Library. Women's Institute Branch, Parliament Build- ings. Toronto 2, you may secure the publications listed below. These have been supplied by the Consumer Branch of the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. They will help you in- fluence public opinion and create an understanding of the need for con- tinuing the war against inflation. Playsâ€"Waiting for Mary (10 inin~ utes) and Libel or Label. Bookletâ€"Fighting Inflation. WP ud Kitâ€"A report of the . . with a. guide to study for those desiring to make a serious study or the W.P.T.B. I Quizâ€"How Women Can Help Fight Inflation. Number 4 MRS. H. SUMMERS. PRESIDENT F.W.I.0. Institute members in all parts of the province will wclcome Mrs. Hugh Summers, the new president of the chcrated Women‘s Institutes of On- tario, to office. For thirteen years Mrs. Summers has been a member of the Decew Falls W.I. in Welland County. where she was elected president for three years. She served the district of Welland as President for two years and as con- vener of Social Welfare. From 1941 to 1943 Mrs. Summers represented Subdivision 11, the Counties of Lin- coln, Welland and Wentwci’th, on the Fj.W.I.O. Board. She has been provin- cial convener of Publicity for the past year. When you ask Mrs. Summers how . she became interested in Institute work she will tell you that she was brought up in the Institute by her Mother, Mrs. Gaiser of Welland, who. for many years has been and still is an active W.I. member, having held office as both Institute and district secretary. Mrs. Summers, a teacher before her marriage, lives on 2 dairy farm. She has one son. Hcr community activi- ties bear witness to the fact that she is very deeply interestd in com- munity betterment. She has been ac- tive on the local ration board, chairman of the Thorold Township salvage committee and a member of the execu- tive of the board of the Victorian Or- der of Nui'SEs for the district. Tn Mrs. Summers we extend best wishes for a very happy term as pro- vincial president and assure her of the comperation of all members in her work “For Home and Country". MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT To All \llomen’s Institute Members: In this my first message as your provincial president it is difficult to find one which will meet the needs of all, for from North to South and from East to West your surroundings and characteristics vary. But in whatever part of Ontario you are, words of commendation are your due for the u‘ ‘ in which you have done whatever has come to hand during these war years. Whether the call has been to provide supplies and comforts. to donate blond or to help produce food, all has been grist for your mill. It is because of this fact that our war work has added up to such a sizable total without blackinpr out essential Institute activities. Even though wearied we must not ease up in our war work; but must carry on until victory is certain and even after. Not only must we carry on, but; I believe we should do even better in work for the welfare of the Women’s Institute. During the war years we regretfully watched some of our Institutes disintegrate and vanish, have 'ih a consequent loss of membership. If it were ever necessary for Institutes to disband, because of conditions imposed by the war, that time is assuredly past. Instead we should be alert to find communities Where new Institutes can be organized. I covet for every rural woman in Ontario the opportunity for and privilege of membership in of you must, how the Women's the Vi'omen’s Institute. Knowing. as each Institute has enriched your life. you too should be zealous in extending the privilegesâ€"yes. and the responsibilities too â€"to all other rural women. Let us be diligent in bringing more and more women to our existing Institutes. Adequate membership spells influence in matters pertaining to the welfare of the community, the province and the nation. Thus, how to interest women of the communityâ€"enough of them and the right kindiis an important phase of our work in the Women’s Institute. In order to attract and hold members Institutes should have certain qualifications. These are (1) a constructive and worthwhile programme of work (2) able and enthusiastic leadership (3) members who willingly accept their responsibilities and perform their duties as members of the Women’s Institute. If your Institute has these qualifica- tions it will be a source of strength to all Women's Institutes. No message at this time would be complete without a reference to what you in your individual communities are planning as post-war projects. My word to you here is to plan well on a sure foundation taking into careful acv count the resources which are yours. And here I would like to make a plea that those Institutes which are planning to give community service in their post~war work, consider setting up library services even though they be but modest ones. It seems to me an indictment of rural areas that only 5'3 of rural folk are served by libraries, while in urban centres 75% are served. Looking to the end of war many are questioning as to what can be done to promote better international understanding. At present we are restricted in these matters but a greater acceptance of letter friends in other countries is at least one small step in the right direction. If the letter friend scheme could be extended through Home Bureaus in the United States to bring some of their members in contact with members of the Women’s Institute a better un- derstanding and appreciation of one anothers’s ideas might result. To me these are matters to which we should be giving thought always keeping in mind, that what we do in the individual Institute affects the strength of the Women’s Institutes as a whole. As to my own part in the work of the Women's Institutes. it has always seemed to me that the finest motto I know is “I serve". If during my term as your president I can make that precept my own I shall be content. January, 1945. (signed) Mildred Summers.