1937 - Convention Report

              52 ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
PEACE AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Mrs. M. Morley, Verdant Valley, Convener.
In presenting this report I must explain it is not as up- to- date as I would
like it. Owing to illness I was unable to send out reminders for reports this
spring. Judging, however, by the demand for many kinds of literature on this
subject much serious study has been given by our members during the winter.
Two years ago we were all very keen, and the reports received last year via the
District Directors showed the great enthusiasm of the members of this committee.
With the indecision on the part of the League of Nations regarding the Italo-
Ethiopian trouble, resentment was expressed, and for a time interest seemed to
lag. Lately a revival of interest is shown, chiefly, perhaps, because of the
International Peace Campaign whose first effort is to co- ordinate all peace- loving
forces on an international scale, and whose only enemy would be an aggressor
who, in defiance of international law, would destroy the peace of the world. The
National Executive of the League of Nations in Canada has a positive and
constructive program of Peace activities, as many of you know, and I hope before
the close of this Convention that every delegate will feel obligated to further
the cause of Peace in her home and community to the best of her ability. The
international situation changes so frequently and so rapidly that we have had to
learn to adjust our ideas by first examining the authenticity of statements and
holding fast to the belief that there is no trouble on earth that cannot be adjusted
by means of arbitration and conciliation.
I find most Institutes have followed the regular course of study either in
May or November of each year. Peace programs have been staged, so I will not
detail the roll calls, papers, contests ( Essay and Poster), speakers on special
branches of the League work, radio gatherings with round table discussion, and
school activities.
I wish to commend all those W. I.' s who subscribed to the " Interdependence"
and other League of Nations publications. Perhaps even more will be able to
send donations this year. We all know that war costs money, but not so many
realize that peace is costing money, too, and we must be prepared to pay the
price for the educational work for the sake of our young people and small
children, too. We cannot begin too early to teach the lessons of Peace. Many
of our Institutes subscribe to " International - Conciliation", a marvelous bargain
at five cents a copy.
Minburn W. I. did excellent publicity work for this committee. Their
resolution came so soon after the presenting to the Federal Government of a
similar resolution by the combined peace organizations, that it was held back.
Keep up the good work, for many are not yet converted to our view.
The reading of " Testimony of Youth", by Vera Britten, at the W. I. meetings,
and many similar books shows the deep earnestness of our members. Drumheller
had a happy idea for their November meeting, when three of their members who
were Vimy pilgrims presented their impressions in the form of " papers," each
taking a different angle of the trip. These papers may be secured from the Loan
Collection and are excellent reading. Warspite bought the book " Enemies of
Mankind" and is passing it around to the membership. There is a great variety
of literature suitable for your home Institute library, very reasonably priced.
Also may I remind our members that the Loan Collection has some very fine
" papers" on this subject. Another matter I wish to stress, is that when you are
writing for help to your Convener, please be specific, as the League of Nations
topic is a very large and comprehensive one. We are apt to forget that war
prevention is only one branch of the work, and that a great field of work is
successfully carried on through the health and labor departments, besides many
others. For instance, the United States is not a member of the League, but she