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HOME and COUNTRY Published by The Ontario Women’s Institutes at Toronto, Ontario Volume 6 CONVENTIONS REVIEW AND PLAN INSTITUTE PROGRAMME The keynote of every convention was the earnest desire of each mem- but present that the Institutes should serve their country in the best pos- sible way during the war. The In- stitutes pledged themselves to con- tinue to accept their responsibilities for home and community life and, at the same time, to carry on special war efiorts. All appreciated the action taken on their behalf by the Provincial President, Mrs. T. J. Mc- L‘uWEll, in sending to the Premier of lrlntal‘lo, and to 2 Federal Minister i-f Agriculture, an offer of the ser- \ices of the Women’s Institutes of Ontario in whatever capacity the 'mvernment may wish to use them. The Convener: of Peace and Inter- national Relationships felt their task a difiicult one at this time, but em- phasized that women should still hold the ideal of peace before their e es .lanning for peace so that they all now what they wish to do when it omes. Historically, the convention at Guelph was very interesting. The nrst Women's Institute convention in Hntario was held at the Ontario Agri- wultural College, Guelph. in 1903. and now Subdivisions No. 8 and No. 9 have adopted Guelph as their per- manent place of meeting. The com :ention was a happy one and greet ings presented by earl workers in the Institutes gave fres inspiration revived pleasant memories on brought to all a new realization of rust what the Institute stands for. The hospitality for which the Ontario Agricultural College is renowned was much appreciated and the dele ates enioyed ‘ residence life" for two ays. It bein its 25th Anniversary, the London onvention celebrated this year, also. The ceremony of present- ing a rose to past area officer: was a pleasing feature. and reminiscences were in order. Educational Features. Round table conferences and dis- cussions made one of the most valu- able educational features of several conventions. At Guelph the to its for the conference wereâ€"Adult du- ration, Wellin )1 County Historical Research Society, Girl Guides and Canada’s First Folk School. One whole mornin was devoted to this discussion an members were given “very opportunity to participate. At ilttawa an 0 en conference on the duties of the istrict director improv- ed the understanding of this cfl’ice. Discussions following reports were well conducted at several conventions, notably London, Barrie and Sudbury. At the larger conventions the scheme of round table conferences mi be introduced, if delegates were Wided into groups accordin to interest. Activity in the fie d of Health and Child Welfare was everywhere ap- I'arent, with the emphasis always on preventive measures. Health was the topic featured at the Hamilton con- vention. Talks on cancer here and at other conventions helped dispel the fears which some eople have tor wards this disease. Br. Janet Lang's address stimulated interest in child health. She pointed out the necessity for wider distribution of baby in- cubators throughout the Province. A talk on the Associated Medical Ser- vices at Toronto explained this new method of financing medical care. At sochi-ane, the convener divided the Work of this committee into. two phases. practical and educational. which proved a very satisfactory basis for presentation. (Continued on page 2, col. 2) WINTER, 1939-1940 Number 1 GREETINGS FROM OUR NEW PROVINCIAL PRESIDENT Dear Institute Members: This year, in celebratin the twentieth birthday of the Federated \Vonien’s Institutes of Ontario, it is tnbuted so generously and war on "the common wealâ€"the note the progress made. the friendshi have enJoyed through contacts with at The far-reacliin ttiufi that we pay tribute to those who have con~ ed so untiringl , with heart and mind ever good of all mankind‘. It is indeed interesting to s gained and the privileges which we or countries. influence of the educational and social benefits of the Women‘s Institutes t roughout the world are unfathomable, and only through education can home and community life be improved. As We enter on a New Year tense with anxiety, I would like to ask thc Institutes throughout the Province to supplement the programmes for their monthly meetings with more socialJnaterial, that women will look forward to the cheery meetings as a bright spot where they may come for friendship and encouragement to help them carry the burdens which sumo are called upon to bear. Let us carr on calmly and efliciently, following the example of our King and Queen, rea y at all times to meet the emergencies we may encounter. As homemakers, let us be alert to the responsibilities which are ours in the furtherance of peace and good citizenshi In our homes, our communities and our country. Individually. and as mem ers of the Women's Institutes, let us make our motto "For Home and Country" one which will command respect. cvcr bearing in mind the high ideals Lind standards of our great organization. Yours sincerely, Port Carling, Ontario. if; W/xz 7/ [QM/Ce. HOMEMAKING CLUB ACHIEVEMENT DAYS This year’s Achievement Days have shown nchievcmenm of various kinds. There is the skill acquired in foods, clothing and housing. as seen in apâ€" petizing dishes and well-made gar- ments and bedroom 2.CCeSSOI‘IES.-â€"l‘l0l§ the expected skill of the much- prnctised houscu-ifc. but the newly- found, surprising skill of the be- ginner who has just learned to do these things and is receivmg great pleasure in the accomplishment“ These club girls have achieved knowledge apart from skills thflt'lfl making them more useful. more in- telligent people. They know how to eat more wisely. They have learned to know good fabrics from poor and so get better value for money spcnt: thcy have learned how to make in- cx cnsive bedroom accessories that hellp transform a room. .They know how to work with other girls and how to conduct a meeting. Achievement Day shows they have learned so many things that at times one Wishes it might be a longer day. The demonstrations are usually a pleasure because of the .way the girls present knowledge gained in club work, and are often a surprise be- cause of the originality displayed and skill used. During some meat demon- strations recently, older women in the audience appeared a little surv prised and much impressed by the girls' familiaritv with this food which is a major problem to so many. The most encouraging feature of club work this year has been the im- provement in the standard of work exhibited. This was evident in many counties and is most satisfying to the Home Economics coaches. An ex- ample of this higher standard was thc good design in clothing and house furnishings. There was much beauty of line and simplicity in ornamenta- tinn. Intcr-county days at the fairs were likewise successful. The attendance zit the Canadian National Exhibition vxcecded that of last year by I‘il'ty and at Ottawa there was an increase of forty-four. The chief Values of thcsr- ilnys are the contacts each girl malt-cs with others and their work, as well as the new experiences of the day. At Toronto these contacts were especiall“ valuable this year, :is the improved accommodation outside the Exhibition grounds made it possiblc for all to see more club work. Girls from Temiskaming came the greatest distance and possibly gained more than other club members from the whole experience. As it is reviewed, it would seem that the Junior programme established and carried on in peace times has made a contribution toward fitting the girls and young women for the demands of war time when the resources of a country must be used wisely. (Contributed by Miss L. Row.) DOMINION FEDERATION CONVENED IN EDMONTON The eleventh biennial meeting of the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Canada ofiicially opened at Edmon- ton on Thanksgiving Du . Premier Aborhart welcomed the de cgntes. At the first session telegrnms were sent to the Right Hon. \V. L. Mac- Kenzie King and the Right Hon. Neville Chamberlain, oil‘cring the ser- Viccs of the 73,000 Institute members to the Empire whenever and however needed. The importance of the organiza- tion as a medium for war nctivity was stressed by Mrs. Alfred Watt, M.B.E.. prcsuient of the Associated Country Women of the World, who was ii guest at the biennial through tlu- cour- tesy of the Dominion Government. Mrs. Watt pointed out that it is im- portant that the ordinary life of the communities be carried on a. usual. A spccinl committee \vns formed In work with Mrs. \Vntt to prepare ii prngi'nmmo through which the \Vom- (‘n's Instituth might render service to the Dominion Government. At the sumo time. the reports of the rouulnr Standing' Committees dealt with tho voluc of the work of these mmmitlccs in time of war. Stros. us placed upon the use of nniurril rusnurccs in and around the rural home, the sub- stitufion nf puriahnblo products for products which could be exported. tho need for extending II welcome to N\'\\' Canadians. and tho imnnrhmrn of sane legislation. Youth Training. ' The training of youth was |‘II\]IIIiI- sized in on :iililruss by Miss Rcrthn Oxner of the University of Saskutchc- wan. She noted the impnrtnnvu of girls' clubs in continuing the educa- tionnl iroco Miss ()xncr listed shnw n the i nrni'lrristiz's nI' nilolcs< vencc us idealism. Intent cnvrgy rind eagerness to do tliin ‘. unil intornst in life. M" Oxnor :il vised thnl girl» be given :in lilt‘fllill \chI-Imhim-wl. wholosonu- individunl Illlll‘ tn lllllkl' the most. nf hvr environment. An account of tho Triennial Unu- foronco of thr- A.C.\V.W. lit-Id in London Inst spring, \vns given hv the Dominion President. At thnt gather- ing them were an cmlulrii's N‘pri'» sonted, und, whih- mnuy spew-hm liml In. Iu- Ir:in<l:il(ul. Hu-ro \\'I‘TI‘ twn things rcndily iimlorsluml Iiy nll women. musir nnd linnvlirrul‘t. A feature of the bnnquct givcn by the Alberta Womi-n's Institutes, in confcrcncc at the sum: time. was tlic grnphic story told by Mn. W. Stewart. president of tho Alhcrtn convention. Mrs, Stnivart :ind her hushnnil \Vr‘l‘l' rcsu'ucnl from the tor- cdocd Athcnin. Ill .. Wntt spoke of ier visit In the flnltiv cnuntrics n year 1ing and told how Llicy were rcjnir. ing at that timt' in their freedom. Formal nppre ion was oxnrnssml of llcr Excclh ' [‘ho [only 'l‘wccds- niuir’s interns! in tho \Vnuivn's lusti- tutvs of Cnnndn nnd of her work in conncrtinn with the founding of tho National rnngnziuc. Cmmdi'n'n Hume and Cauntm. All provinces were asked to support the magazine. Rural Home Sanitation, tho spccinl study subject SI'IOI‘IAVI at the 1971'] biennial, was again commended Io all Institute members. The invitation of the Plan. A. C. Taylor. Minister of Agriculture for New Brunswick. to hold the 1941 biennial at Fredericton was accepted. (Contributed by Mrs. T. J. McDowell.) Eoiron's Normâ€"At the Biennial meeting reported above, Ontario was honoured in the appointment of Mrs. McDowell as first vice-president.