1937 - Convention Report

              16 ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
REPORT ON LEGISLATION - 1935- 1937
Mrs. D. H. Galbraith, Nanton, Convener.
During the period since we last met in convention, history has indeed been
in the making; probably we have never gone through so many changes in so
short a time.
Within the British Empire all men and women are united in one great bond
— the throne. Upon this throne we have had, since January, 1936, three kings.
The reign of George V swept to its close in the afterglow of the Silver Jubilee—
a great and good reign. The nations sorrowed for a great king. Then followed
Edward, who we so fondly looked on as our Prince; but his reign was short;
his abdication came in less than a year. This brought about a great constitutional
crisis, which in almost any other country would have caused a bloody revolution,
but Britain, with her love for law and order, stands stolidly unmoved. " Edward
was succeeded by his brother, George, who, with his Queen Elizabeth, now sits
upon the throne. It is interesting to note that at the coronation this is the first
time the king is given the title of King of Canada.
On the 14th of May the Imperial Council is to meet in London. Since they
last met there has been a change in status. Then they came together as colonies,
now they come, for the first time, as separate nations under one king. The
problems they will have to discuss are serious and quite different to what they
were seven years ago.
According to Dr. Stewart three momentous questions must be dealt with:
1. The weakening of the League of Nations.
2. The great increase of the war menace.
3. The demand from the great powers wanting territorial expansions or
trade agreement that will satisfy their demands.
Turning to Canada we find in the summer of 1935 we had two elections, one
for the Dominion House, which resulted in a change of Government, and the
Provincial election, which introduced into Alberta a Social Credit Government.
" Truly of the making of laws there is no end." We can only give a short
resume of a few' of the outstanding which have been passed.
The Home Improvement Plan of the National Employment Commission,
under the authority of the Dominion Government, is an endeavor of double
purpose, to improve Canadian homes and to provide employment for Canadian
workers. By home improvement is meant the renovation or alteration of, or
addition to a house to provide for the owner, better, more convenient, more modern
living conditions or increased accommodation. The owner may borrow the
required sum up to $ 2,000.00, and repayments made monthly over any period not
exceeding three years. Any contractor, supply firm or architect can help you
arrange a Home Improvement Plan loan to finance the work for you or you can
apply direct to your banker.
The Re- Habilitation Act is just what the name indicates, an endeavor to
reclaim the drought and wind- swept lands of the Prairie Provinces. While it will
be some time before results will be seen, much is already being done. The
farmers in building dams, etc., and planting trees, as well as using preventive
measures of cultivation to control drifting are co- operating with those appointed
by the Government to implement this great work.
As a number of Acts, both Provincial and Federal, have been declared
unconstitutional; it is interesting to note that in passing judgment on the
Natural Products Marketing Act, which was declared ultra vires, their Lordships
give an indication of the method which would stand the test of legality. Their
statement on this point is as follows:—" The Board ( i. e., the Judicial Committee
of the Provincial Council) were given to understand that some of the Provinces
attach much importance to the existence of " marketing schemes such as might
be set up under this legislation, and their attention was called to the existence
of Provincial legislation setting up Provincial schemes for various Provincial