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6 HOME AND COUNTRY AN Canada has :ilwnys been a country for which I havc had the desire to visit sometime during my life and. ev r since joining the Women‘s In- itutc in England. 1 have hoped that this desire would be fulfilled. Because in England and Wales, In. 'tute mem- bers me ever grateful for the vision and pioneer work of the Charter Meinbe ‘ oi the Stone)’ Creek \\ omens Institute in Ontario in the year 18th. This most certainly lai.l the firm loundation of a great move» then. and so made it possible for Women's lr itutcs to be brought to Enulnntl at Wales. in 1915 by Mrs Alfred \\" t. who had been Secretai) of the Adv 'y Board of the \\’mnen's Institute at the British Columbia In spite of the background of n during two major Wars, the National Federation of Women's Institutes in England and “ales has grown and expanded in s' e. strength and popus larity. At pre ent there are appro imately 7,000 Women's Institutes with u membership of over 380.000 and they are making every endeavour to carry out their aim "To improve the con- ditions of rural life" and are mindful also of the Ins.itute motto "For Home and Country ‘. The result is a common bond of fellowship which unites countrywoinen not only in their own village. County or Nation but Inter- na.ionally as well. For example, the memorable occasion of the Triennial Conference of the Associated Countr, women of the \\'orl.l held at Amster- dam in September last year. I was very delighted to have the opportunity of meeting the members of the Can- adian delegation at this interesting and i m p 0 rt 8 u t Conference. The Women's Institutes in England and \Vales, in their efforts to further In- ternationul peace and undersmnding, have recently entertained ten German countrywoinen. These visitors have been studying the Institute organiza tion at Monthly Meetings. etc., have visited English farms, schools. Creches and similar examples of country life and have been leai‘ni g the we“: of our true democratic principles. Fifteen Coun,y Federations made arrange- ments to entertain these visitors. Middlesex Federation made the sights of London, etc. part of their program. I recall the words of one speaker dur~ ing the Conference at Amsterdam who. urging us to work for the Peace we all so earnestly desire, expressed the hope that even if set-backs pre- vented us from sowing the seeds of the Peace or to seeing results in our lifetime, we could pledge ourselves to fertilize the soil as a worthy prepara~ tion for those seeds. In England, therefore, we trust that the visit of this German delegation will be a small contribution to this great duty. English Institute members enjoy. too, the penvfriend scheme which links them with members overseas and this also adds to the interest of their meetings. Still taking their minds across the ocean, English members are playing an important part in the Women's Home Induntries, Ltd. This is a Company registered with the objects of exporting to Canada and the United States home‘made articles to learn dollars for Britain and to saving work to those who are not able to leave their homes but who would like to use their skill to add to pro- duction. Knitted garments of all types, chair seats, stools, rugs, etc. are some of the articles being made and a high standard of work is set, Members are keen to have this 0 portunity to help their Country and a so to do the hand- craft work so traditionally significant of them. Just now, Institute members in Eng« land and Wales are enthusiastic about the realization of their new venture, the opening of their own Women’s Institute College, named Dennian College, after Lady Denman, first Chairman of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes in England. For over twenty-five years, Lady Denâ€" man kept before members the essenv tial principles of democratic procedure, and by her clear brain and courageous I Fall, 1948 a The largest gathering of Kent \Vomcn's Institute members ever assembled in Kent County convened at Glen Gordon Manor overlooking Lake Erie to greet Mrs. Ida Braine, Vice Pres. of the Totleridge “KL, Hertfordshire. Eng. Mrs. Brnine also visited Institutes in Simcoe, York, \Ventworth, Norfolk, Elgin, Essex, Wellington. Hastings and Glengarry counties. leadership enabled them to lay a sound foundation for the extraordin- ary expansion of the movement and its many developments. The College will be residential and specialized courses will be arranged in all branches of Women's Institute work. A pleasant, friendly country house built of votswuld stone has been chosen for the College and it is situ- ated on the edge of a Berkshire vile lage, near to Abingdon on the Thames and about nine miles from Oxford. The project was the result of a reso- lution passed at an Annual General Meeting held in the Royal Albert Hall about two years ago. Finances have been helped by a generous grant from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust and Institutes all over England and Wales are supporting this new chapter in their history by special money-raising efforts. Counties have mode themselves responsible for the furnishing of various rooms and around our countryside handlooms are weaving curtains, quilts are being stitched, linen embroidered, rugs made, rushâ€"mats plaited, to bring as much beauty and skill to the College as is possible in these days of austerity. There are many members who have even sacrificed :1 half of one of their clothing coupons to help with the purchase of material! Sincere grati- tude has been expressed for the gen- erous gifts from Canada of a flow of parcels containingr sheets and pillow- cases. This intimate interest and prac- tical help from Institutes so far away makes us realize how closely linked we are, and is tremendously encour- aging. The first Warden of the Collc e is to be Miss Elizabeth Christmas, w 0 has been a General Organizer of the National Federation until recently, and is known personally to many thou- sands of members including many in Canada during her visit here a few years ago. This welcome appointment will play an important part in which, I feel sure, through our Dennian College, will become an historic con» tribution to carrying out our aim of improving the conditions of rural life, Like Canadian Institute members, English members thoroughly enjoy their Institutes and they appreciate both the wealth of interest and the value of education available to them through the attendance at meetines. classes, etc. Their Institute was invalU» able to them throughout the War years when every minute of the day was taken up with war work of one kind and another, including the utilization of the surplus fruit of their villages though the organization of Preserva- tion Centres. and the care of evacuatgl children from the cities and townsm the danger areas. Austerity is still with the British house-wife, and I would like to take the opportunity of this column to convey to Canadian memâ€" bers, the very sincere thanks and ap~ preciation of my fellow-members at home for the excellent food parcels sent so regularly to them. The con» tents of these parcels so often relieve the monotony of our diet and also the continual planning of our rations and, what is sometimes even of more help to the house-wife, a saving of valuable food points when shopping, Every en- deavour is made to distribute the con- tents of the parcels as fairly as pos- siblc among members and I wish it were possible for Canadians to have the satisfaction of seeing the pleasure when at Institute meetings the goods are distributed either by a lucky ticket or quite frequently by a cake made by a member from ingredients in the parcel. The English members are grateful and appreciative of the time and the planning used on these we]- come parcels and also the generosity both in the goods and postage spent in sending them. But, I can assure you that the practical expression of your thoughts of us means much in Britain at the present time and we remember too with gratitude how much we were helped through the war years by the splendid efforts of Canadians. When I return to my Institute work in Hert- fordshire. I am going to enjoy telling members during the winter months of my visit to Canada. I sincerely hope that: I do not. fail in my effort to tell them of the verv warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to me and esieciallv in the homes of Canâ€" adian nstitutc members. Many as- pects of the Institute work here have been of special interest to me. The Women’s Institute film “Let There Be Light” is a wonderful addition to your Institute archives. I was privilewed to see this film of the pageant featured at your 50th Anniversary Celebrations at Guelph last year, and I earnestly hope thanL it. will eventually be possible for Institutes in England and Wales to see this historical film. It would be of much interest to them, I know, and would also be of valuable information to new members. The splendid work and organization of your Junior Institutes here has attracted 'me with its important preâ€" paration for future years. How stimu- lating and satisfying this must be to the more senior members in your In- ENGLISH WOMEN’S INSTITUTE VISITOR SPEAKS TO 0N ARIO INSTITUTE MEMBERS stitutes here to have the added inter. est of the Junior Institutes and the knowledge that their own work mm ideals Will be carried on by mum, cnerations. In England the usqu age or younger members to join is “you, sixteen years. Junior Institutes are not part of our Constitution but 1 believe there are a few isolated ex. amplea in some areas. ' During my visit here I have Ian-no.1 with interest of the plans for Srllolal._ ships made possible through the Ado. laidc Hoodless Fund. This wondci'ful opportunity open to rural git-Ls will um’oubtcdlv be a rrea attraction out will be of inestimublc value to pm, future years. 1 have also been interes‘ed to learn that you have been considering it“. raising of your Institute SubSEI'HiLiUIL On October Isl: our subscripllun it being increased to 3/6 . by a rotuiu. tion passed ut the National Federation Annual General Meeting held at [hr Royal Albert Hall in April this \em. Present day costs and expenditure have compelled us to make this 1.“. portant decision in order to cam out an active programme of Institute \nory- to correspond with the growth nl tln movementt Our Institute movement Is not assisted by the Department of Agriculture as I learn is so l’It'I'L‘ in Ontario. , I also note with interest the liilllia. tion of years’ service for Institup Ofliccrs which you experience him This is something in England \lhlch is not part of our Constitution in quite the same way, but has been (llsvlusej recently with the result that at pre- sent, it is permissible for Institutes. Counties, etc. to make their Dun it}. laws concerning this. Another interest during my rut is the excellent work done in the mnr pilation of the Tiveodsniuii' Village History Books. I congratulate :nu What wealth of interest, educatimi :ml pleasure these books will providw for future eneru‘tions both in your in-‘ns and vil ages aliket Institutes Ill F‘n '- land and Wales have recently hill an essay contest enti'leJ “This no» my Village" and this also prove. to In of great value. There are, I know, many villages in Eng-land keeping bottle of their Village history. My tour of the Ontario Womcu' In stitutes is bringing to me COUL'lL‘s: interests and pleasures as I juuwiuy from one county to another. .ly note: of each day are full of intei'c-img facLs and impressions to take bin l: to England in October and 1w nL’ through I note in particular: the ‘ arm welcome I have already mentioned. your large farms with their L'Wlll ouality grain and fine breeds of r. itle: choice fruit, tobacco, re-fOI‘E‘StlLliDII. industries, etc. I shall tell mciiuwrs too of the busy day of your faruwrs wives, the grandeur of your 2 lat lakes, the clear skies showing to pet'- fection the spruce trees, the lung straight roads which are someulmt strange to a visitor coming irmu a country renowned for its windinc roads and country lanes. At home, these things are pictures in our minds of Canada and when seen on a Visit here, make one wish to return again]. It would be possible for me to Hill many more delights such as these which will remain a lasting hill‘ll.‘l memory of my visit to Canada :W to Canadian Institute members. A“ good wishes. , Contributed by Mrs. Ida Bram“ PRESIDENTS’ CORNER My \vritin arm and my P211 am: about worn wit and you must be near) of reading as you finish my northernt tour, so remarks are confined to Jus one announcement. V . Mr. Sterndale Bennett ‘5 Austfi: Terrace, Toronto ofl’ers Institutes “di‘ have stage accommodation. 511%“, entertainment and a means of raisingt money in the winter months. Inteicf< in drama is at a high peak all acios‘ Canada If you are interested contat] Mr. Bennett at this address and Ieflllv about: the ofi'erings of his comp?!“- and the terms of contract,