1931 - Annual Convention

              S E V E N T E E N T H A N N U A L C O N V E N T I ON 53
It is well that citizens of Canadian. B r i t i s h and American birth should
realize in how large a measure the c i v i l i z a t i o n s of B r i t a i n and N o r t h America
have been enriched by the infusion of qualities derived from peoples of
d'fferent races. If Canadians have much to give to those who have come to
our country, they have also much to gain from contacts. Co- operation and
team work w i l l play a b i g part in b r i n g i n g " to pass the desired results.
Many Institutes have featured the compiling of local histories, giving
much time to this study.
Ten Institutes have entertained in honor of newly naturalized citizens,
when special speakers have been present. I would urge that more Institutes
stress this. A ceremony, simple but sufficiently impressive, at which the new
Canadians could be addressed in English, shorn of legal formalities, flags
flying, bands p l a y i n g national airs, would do much to impress the newly made
c i t i z e n that he is a citizen of no mean country. Many Institutes have given
new flags and some have erected flagpoles and flags have been flown for the
first time o n N a t i o n a l Days. Many schools are s t i l l without flags. Could we
not have a slogan, " A flag for every school," a n d have a flag raising salute
to teach children to respect the flag.
P r i z e s for highest marks in history continue to be popular, some thirty
Institutes r e p o r t i n g prizes ranging from § 10.00 to $ 3.00.
A l r e a d y a number of Institutes are planning celebrations for Empire,
Goodw; 1 and Dcminion Days, and splendid programmes have been prepared.
Many Institutes report every member taking at least one Canadian
magazine or periodical. Canadian Book Week has been featured in guessing
Canadian authors and book titles, and books purchased and given to schools
i n their communities.
The deplorable amount of salacious literature which finds its way into
our country is a matter of deep regret, and should receive our careful con­sideration.
W i t h the splendid Canadian magazines, periodicals and news­papers
at our command, and the great service these render in not only giving
u> t h e best in current m i t t c r s , but fostering literary talent among our own,
there should be no place either in our stores or homes for such damaging
reading matter
A m o n g the N a t i o n a l events during the year is the gift of the women of
Canada to L a d y W i l l i n g d o n on leaving for I n d i a ; welcome to L o r d and Lady
Be. isborough; the opening of Parliament by a Canadian, M r . Justice Duff,
the first time in the history of Canada; the appointing of a woman Senator,
M r s . W i l s o n ; appointing of Hon. Irene Parlby as delegate to the Geneva
Confer. nee; the marriage of the Prime Minister's sister to the Canadian
A m b a s s d o r at Washington. For the first time in its history, Canada was
recently visited by a r e i g n i n g monarch and his consort, the K i n g and Queen
of Siam.
A n o i h ' r matter that should receive our consideration is the motion pic­ture*.
A film of very questionable moral is often shown with a child's fairy
story film or comedy. Encouragement should be given to the making of Can­adian
films, as there is no greater factor for educational purposes, or more
forceful way of f o s t e r i n g ideals of p a t r i o t i sm among our young.
In closing this report, may I thank the Constituency Chairmen, and a ll
who have helped in any way to make this w o r k a pleasure, and to wish the
fulfilment of the ideals of this committee, Canada a land we love. " U n i t e d ."