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Leaders cl discussion groups. tell Io righl: Fronl row: Mrs. F. G. Purcell, Mrs. Jas. Bell, Mrs. Clare Ax- lord, Mrs. Elton Armstrong, Chairman, Mrs. R. D. Hendry. Back row: Mrs. L. G. Lymburner, Mrs. W. Heron, Mrs. Clarence Hayes, Miss Elizabeth Master. branch Women‘s Institutes from all over the province attended the eighth annual Officers’ Conference held at the On- tario Agricultural College on May 9, 10 and llâ€"one of the most enjoyable and educational Institute gatherings of the whole year. Instead of the once popular party to open the conference, on the first evening this year there were tours of Macdonald Institute and films in Memorial Hall. The films were “Stratford Adventure," a picture showing how the Shakespearean Festival got its start; “The Beautiful Necessity,” a film made by Sov- ereign Potteries showing the manufacture of chinaware from the potter’s clay to the most bEautiful dishes; “The Children," a United Nations picture of work done by UNICEF. and the World Health Organization to save children from malaria, yaws, tuberculosis and other ills common in underdeveloped counâ€" tries; and “Three to Get Ready”â€"three meals to get ready every day and three children to get ready for a healthy adulthood, This attracâ€" tive picture showed the importance of protein from an adequate supply of meat in the diet. Lists of films available to women's groups from the Public Relations Department of the College were distributed and Mr. John Eccles addressed the gathering on the Lise of films in community organizations and the impor‘ tance of various rural agencies making known their need of films on special subjects. In some cases the provincial organization might provide a special film for the use of its local groups. As usual the conference was held imme» diater following the Spring Meeting of the Provincial Board, and at the first session the Provincial Secretary, Mrs Gordon Maynard, introduced the board members, The President, Mrs. Gordon MacPhatter, Mrs. Ofield and the three regional Viceâ€"Presidents, Mrs. James Haggerty, Mrs. George Wilson and Mrs. J. McDonald presided at the various sessions. Opening the conference, Mrs. MacPhatter, President of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario, thanked Dr, MacLachlan for the OVER FIVE HUNDRED secretaries of SUMMER 1956 0./I.C. Phaln The Oflicers’ Conference hospitality of the College that made it such a happy meeting plaCe for rural people. Mrs. MacPhatter also paid a tribute to Mrs. J. R. Futcher, for originating the idea of the Offi- cers' COnference and carrying through the first conference during her term as F.W.I.O. President. At this session the President also directed the women’s attention to a number of exhibitsâ€"one from U.N.I.C.E.F., one on the Travelling Library service of the Department of Educationâ€"a most intriguing display of booksl and an exhibit of needlework from the Dome-t Women's Institute in England showing the 01d stitchesâ€"chain stitch, buttonhole and French knots handled in a most artistic way. This exhibit will travel from province to provâ€" ince to conventions or other Institute provinâ€" cial meetings. Mrs. MacPhatter also referred to the conference theme supplied by Miss Helen McKercher: “Faith marches at the head of the army of progress." Women’s Institutes and the College Welcoming the delegates to the College the President, Dr. J, D. MacLachlan reminded them that the Institutes and the College have much in common in their aims and objectives. The staff at the College feel a concern for agriculture which is in something of a recesâ€" sion while everything else is booming, and they feel a special concern for young people looking forward to a career in agriculture. In spite of the gadgets which would be expected to simplify farming, the farmer’s business be- comes more and more c0mp1icated. A farm is now very much like a big manufacturing plant, with farm animals living machines to turn field crops into food: and The College has to consider the problems involved from three anglesâ€"education, research and exten- smn. Dr. MacLachlan outlined some of the bene- fits of the diploma course in agricultiu‘e to a young man who intends to make farming his vocation: the training in practical agriculture. and the cultural interests and social experi- ences of college life as equipment for comâ€" munity living. Also, when he works on his H