History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institute

              HISTORY

SUPPLEMENT

OF THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTE

Mrs. John Gregory from the Research Council of Alberta spoke on the "Challenge of Leisure". Mrs. Gregory defined leisure as "The time that could be used according to our desire or choice". A whole society may be released from the necessity of making a living to the opportunity of making a life. Mrs. Gerald Meredith of Fort Smith told of her Institute and life in the North, everything is changing. Wisdom is needed so that these changes do not become disruptive. Dr. C. F. Bentley, Dean of Agriculture University of Alberta spoke on "The Faculty of Agriculture - 50th Anniversary". He spoke of its growth and the increasing importance of agriculture. Dr. Bentley was disturbed that less than 25% of the young people who were eligible to attend University were doing so. He charged the Institutes with the responsibility of correcting this situation. Mrs. Thelma Scambler from the Department of Public Welfare spoke on "Social Wellbeing and our Expanding Responsibility". She said that government money and action is not enough in helping those less fortunate to social wellbeing. There must be concern. She challenged the Institutes to provide leadership. Mrs. C. A. D. Ringrose, Canadian Association of Consumers voiced concern re deceptive packaging and the pressing need of standardization in sizes in children's clothing. RESOLUTIONS: Warburg Institute made an intensive study of discrimination in general and the problems of Canadian Indians in particular. The following Resolution was voted on at the Convention and passed: That the Government of Alberta enact fair employment and fair accommodation legislation for the Province of Alberta and that the Government of Canada re-examine Acts of Parliament such as the Indian Act for discriminatory practices and circumstances limiting those affected by such Acts in housing, use of money, self government and use of land. That the Provincial Government be requested to set up a Mobile Clinic to travel throughout the Province with a skilled staff in charge to conduct examinations to detect cancer of the cervix in its early stages; such clinics to operate in a manner similar to the present Mobile T.R Chest X-ray Clinics. That we ask the Provincial Government to amend the Soil Conservation Act in Section II to make provision that by Council By-Law, or in the case of Improvement Districts or Special Areas, the Minister of Municipal Affairs may by order prohibit the cultivation of virgin sub-marginal soil. Motion to complete A.W.I. Projects accepted in 1963, to continue voluntary projects and direct efforts towards A.W.I. Provincial Office. Resolved that Institutes at different levels seek representation on local Development Councils and on Committees appointed to study problems and to recommend the allotment of funds avail20