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September. I933 HOME and COUNTRY a the various departments of ork, e.g., one on health, an- ther on education, agriculture, migration, etc., then let the onvener of laws arrange for esumé of some aspect of the w affecting health, education, tc. Volumes containing all acts f Parliament are usually to be ound in the public libraries, or hort extracts of such subjects re in the Handy Guide. An in- eresting 10 minutes would be 0 have members in rotation ive a resumé of current events, oth local, National and Inter~ ational, or the current events ould be used as a roll call. Suggested roll call: The names your trustees, councillors and embers of parliament: what apartments are there in your ounci‘l and what do they do and ow are they run'.’ Do not for- et to have a question drawer. ven if you have a speaker it is ette'r for questions to be writ< en and not signed, as many embers are too shy to get up o speak. and, particularly on egislation questions, they do not livays want their interest in a pecial subject laid open to the ieeting. A question drawer is : great help to the speaker too, 5 it gives her..a chance to find ut what the members really lab to hear discussed. If the I egislation Convener takes the uestion drawer. she should v ever be afraid to say that she oes not know the correct an- war, 'but she an offer to find ut before the next meeting. The » ost prominent lawyers and udges are ever Willing to help ut a Convener of Legislation, nd no one erson, even the most xpei't, cou I] always be able to we a correct opinion on the put of the moment. The Amusement Tax Act was mended to raise the amusement ax on all amusements, though t will not be levied on tickets f 25 cents or under until that art of the Act is proclaimed. Another matter is of interest 0 the many of you who are . ortgagors or mortgagees of ropei‘ty. Ilt has been brought 0 the notice of the Government he urgent need of moratorium n mortgages if a great numâ€" er of persons owning taxed roperty with a mortgage gainst it were not to lose it all n these times of stress. Community Activities Convener.,Mrs. Wln. Grattan._ General Delivery, Port Arthur, Ont. Do something for others always whatever may be our creeds, here's nothing on earth can help ourselves as much as kindly deeds." In our community activities indly deeds are outstanding. In compiling this report we ’/ e gratified to find the branches re consciously and unconsci- usly ministering to the many eeds locally. The year’s record as been one of growth and chievement throughout all see- ons of the Province. There has been a very human uch to our constructive efforts. One branch conceived the idea E Singing Christmas Carols to e shut»ins of the town. A com- ittee in charge compiled a list - the shut-ins, the sick, the me, the blind and aged. About ty homes were visited. After Ving the plan announced from 9 different pulpits, the people et at one church. Three cap- ins were chosen and sides l ich proved a fine addition. As a heard the united voices of lung and old, of bass and treble waited on the chill and quiet midnight air, one caught the vision of long agoâ€"when Christ was born in Bethlehem, and the angels sang: “‘Peace on Earth. Good Will Towards Men." What finer community Work could a branch do than renew the real Spirit of Christmas? Christâ€"mass. Community picnics have been very successful. One branch reported a most successful picnic. and decided it was not necessary to travel afar to have a good time. Others reported garden parties, fowl suppers, corn roasts. socials, etc. Grandmothers have been en- tertained. Many branches held a service on Remembrance Day. Others report helping hospital wards, care of cemeteries. me- morial parks, community halls, local fairs, school fairs. street lights and motor league signs. One district reported their largest branch opened up a camping ground for motorists â€"last year they erected a flag pole. also dug a well for the accommodation of the public. Surely we have some good Samaritans. Many donated to Public Lib- raries, others are assisting lib- raries in various ways, Many have created an interest in bet- ter literature and promoted interest in travelling libraries. “While you converse with lords and dukes, I have my betters here, books, While in my elbow chair at ease, I choose companions as I please.” One secretary writeszâ€" “Our membership is small and I feel we have not done anything spec- tacular, but we look after our community and have a very sis- terly feeling in our branch." What better could any branch (10'! Remember, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." The people throughout the country have not had a great deal of money to spend on plea- sure or on unnecessary things, but despite this state of affairs, judging by the reports of con- veners, the Women’s Institutes have not allowed this to lessen the community activities of the Branches. 'Dhrough their social evenings and concerts, one branch was able to present the Deed of the Community Hall to the Trustees. Another wired their Community Hall and sup- plied it with silverware. They also have moved and wired a shed. This branch gives much credit to the men of the district. some men giving as much as ten days work in helping with their undertakings. A branch giving One Hundred Dollars toward the upkeep of the community hall has the use of it for their meetings and entertainments for their invest- ment. Several branches report work done in caring for ceme- teries. Booths at lowl fairs entertained the Rotary Clubs. and similar activities proved both enjoyable and profitable. Most branches entertained the grandmothers, picnics for the community, helped with Christ- mas trees, sponsored plays, hockey matches and suppers. Had sales of homeâ€"made baking, apron sales and made autograph quilts. One branch arranged the service for Armistice Day and sold poppies. They had an Honor Roll placed in the Town Hall. The Institutes are to be con- gratulated on the work they are doing and any community with- out an Institute is missing a great deaL Then the creation of a rural civilization is the greatest need of our time. The problem is not to bring :people back to the land, but to keep those who are on the my land contented, happy and prosâ€" perous. All rural social workers should work together in unity of spirit and purpose. The schoolhouses in rural centres should be used for social activi- ties. All creeds and classes feel more at home in a school house than they do in a church of any one denomination. and the young people will be more attracted to the schoolhouse than the town hall. In some centres a com- munity hall lhas been built. In other centres the farmers and their families have yet to see the necessity of such a building. The new school building should include an assembly room which could be used as a community gathering place for all social affairs. This, of course, needs the backing of the community in general. The benefits of the social centre movement are many. Such centres provide a place and an opportunity for self expression not always found in rural lifeâ€" expression of opinions upon many matters and expression in lay for both young and old. t is a means of organizing acquaintanceship. The young people who have been born and brought up on the farm, with their wealth of ideal- ism and enthusiasm, will make the best leaders; for a perman- ent resident leadership is more valuable than that of an occa- sional visitor. Relief Convener, Mrs. W. A. Waltz, 48 Grand St, Brantford. Out. From reports received we gather that there has been a real bearing of each obhei’s burdens this year. Many Township Councils have called representatives of the Women’s Institutes to work with their Relief Committeeâ€"as in» vestigators in homes and to dis- tn'bute ielief. All Public Institutions have been generously assisted. Sani- toriums, Hospitals. Children’s Shelters, Homes for the Aged have received fruit, vegetables. quilts, pillows and clothing. The usual help has been given expectant mothers who were un- able to give themselves a fair chance. A great many branches found it an excellent plan to work through the school and welfare nurses, who were able to report under-nourished and poorly clothed children. Members have salvaged an enormous quantity of outgrown or partly worn clothing and given it a new lease of life and usefulness. Bales were sent north and were distributed by branch and district officers to the best pos- sible advantage. Thousands of quilts, articles of clothing, jars of fruit, baskets of vegetables and groceries,â€" deeds of neighbourly kindness beyond counts stand to the credit of the relief workers in our branches. Many babies have been taken care of, -the aged comforted and the lonely cheered. A goodly store of fruits and vegetables are done up ready for coming need, untod kind- ness has been shown to the pro-- school chiild, school children and weary mothers, as also to un- employed men. It may be helpful to hear a few new ways in which the branches have given assisnmoe. A lady who was ill and obliged to go away for several weeks was sent a package each week. each package containing seven other packages one of which was to be opened each day. some of the articles were absorbent cotton, disinfectants, paper handkerchiefs, toilet soap, Vi- tone, cocoa, a tuck-in-pillow. etc. One dear lady of over 80 years of age knitted 9 pairs of mit- tens. A record in quilt making goes to one branch making six in one season, We quote from one of the reports as follows: “One of the greatest pleasures this commitâ€" tee has had and will long linger in our minds, was the playing of Santa Claus to a family of children whose mother was in the mental hospital. A victrola and 60 records, (a donation by a friend of the W. I.) basket of food, apples, candies, nuts, fruit, tablecloth, woollen blan- kets, two quilts, jams, jellies. books. toys for the younger chil- dren, and H pair of new shoes and stockings for each child. To see the delight and gratitude of these children and their father has more than paid for the work entailed.” This poor man‘s table was spread with plenty that day and do you notice that the tablecloth was not forgotten. Now the cloth was not necessary but it was important, particularly at that time. The women of Ontario fully realize the significance of two words, namely, “Necessary and Important." One of the most interesting phases of Relief. which all have undoubtedly had to share in and yet no one has reported, is the feeding of the tramp. One hears very interesting stories in this connection. We cannot under- estimate either those calls made by W. 1. members upon women who need just neighborliness. Two districts report on sev- eral cases where the W. I. is co-operating with the Township Welfare board. W. I. co-opera- tion with these boards will mean 'a great deal this winter. Any branch interested in this policy of relief as assisted by the Gov- ernment. Province and County. may secure particulars from Mr. Wallace R. Campbell, chairman of the advisory committee on Direct lRelief by the Provincial Government of Ontario, on Ad- ministrative Methods in matter of Direct Relief in Ontario. When this form of Relief is in operation, the W. I. work will be necessarily a little different. Don't let us forget that our neighborliness is ever more im- portant under these circum» stances. The Christmas season gives us a wonderful opportun- ity to show this spirit with our baskets of cheer. The names of the families can be secured from the Welfare Boardâ€"continued interest in these families is im- portant. The unemployed farm boy is a problem; many cases come before the Welfare Boards. If It is possible for any one of us to take one of these boys and board him in return for his labor and give him 25 to 50 cents a week. Many farmers have an extra building on their farm where a stove, a cot and a few blankets could be placed for emergency use. Possibly a man housed like this could work in the neighbor- hood for his meals. As a last suggestion, have one member of your branch as con- vener of clothing, and, if pos- sible, keep some good second- hand clothing on hand for emer- gency. You will find plenty of opportunity for distribution dur- ing the winter. Let us give "not grudgingly or of necessity for God loveth a cheerful giver,” keeping in mind He is giving us an opportunity to serve our fel» lawman. Some may give of their substanci‘. and some of their time, all are privileged, so' serve in some measure. Historical Research Convener, Miss E. Appelbe. Box 451. Georgetown, Ont. There is no “depression” in the work of Historical Research. If there is anyone out of a job it is from lack of interest and not from scarcity of work. Hisâ€" tory is always in the makinz and from convention areas cun- vcners Show that we have still something to do. We quote from Hamilton Area report which says: “It is hearts ening to know that each year more Institutes are taking some time for this subject, and are beginning to realize the pleasure and benefit derived from this study"; while the Kingston rc- port makes this statement: "Hardly a branch in this area but tried, according to reports. to incorporate in its annual pro- gram in some form its interest in Historical Research and Cur- rent Events." Continuous effort has been made to impress members with the necessity of preserving and forwarding copies of original papers, and good results are noted. It may not be generally known that we have several Institutes composed of Indian women. For the first time we have received evidence of their interest in the form of a history of the coming to Canada of the Oneida's from New York State in 1840. There is rich material in the far northern sections of the Province and we welcome the few reports that have come this year. For the first time Rainy River district reported. One outstanding activity in Central Ontario during the year has been the establishing of the nucleus of a museum in Guelph for Wellington County. Through the kindness of Dr. Christie, 2 room equipped with a fireproof vault, in the new main building of the Ontario Agricultural College. has been loaned for the purpose. In Simcoe County. old in set- tlement and rich in history, the Institutes have another museum, established in Barrie 2i few years ago. Last winter the Canadian \Vonien’s Historical Society of Toronto held an Historic Loan Exhibition. This exhibition cre- ated intense interest; all sorts of family treasures, carefully guarded. were displayed and every afternoon and evening it was crowded with visitors. A similar exhibition might prove very profitable in the smaller cities and in the towns. The Provincial Convener of Research attended the forty- seventh annual meeting of the American Historical Associa- tion, held in Canada for the fir time, by invitation of the Uni- versity of Toronto during Christmas week, 1932. In many places there have been exhibitions of antiques. Have lists of these articles been kept and the names of the own- ers recorded? . We would like to have a sur- vey of the old rural cemeteries, and a record kept of inscrip- tions on tombstones, one copy for local record, and the other sent to the provincial convener. If some one in each branch, or even two or three in each district, would write the story of on ordinary day’s doings on the farm. or a. day of village life, and another a threshing day, or somebody's wedding, a fall fair or a day in a kitchen, and describe in connection with these the food that was pre< pared and served, the clothing worn, and various other details. we would have a wonderful pic- ture of every day life in rural Ontario in .1933. Mrs. Bayes of Simcoe County reports: “Many in our county