1937 - Convention Report

              TWENTIETH PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 75
The Premier of Prince Edward Island said, " The Women's Institutes are
a mighty force in the land, counteracting insidious influences, and a great com­fort
and inspiration to Government Leaders." Mr. H . R. Stewart, Deputy Pro­vincial
Secretary, gave a detailed description of the Confederation tablet.
Miss Elizabeth MacMillan, Superintendent of Prince Edward Island Women's
Institutes, made the following encouraging statement, " Despite the fact that the
past year has been a difficult financial one for many of our rural people, there
has been continued progress on all lines of Institute work, which reflects credit
on the energetic and zealous efforts of our members." The Hon. Thos. MacNutt,
Minister of Agriculture, declared that when our Canadian women undertake any
work they achieve their objective.
Dr. F. W. Patterson, President of Acadia University, was the outstanding
speaker of the joint Convention. He said, " Women's Institutes would do well
to urge upon Governments the need of encouraging research work aimed at
better living conditions in the homes of Canada. The hope of the future lies not
in less research, but in more research. Instead of curtailing expenditures on
scientific discovery in times of depression, it is the proper time to increase out­lays
in that field. Industry has only just begun to satisfy human wants, and in
that realm may He the solution to the problem of economic recovery."
Miss Bess McDermand, Superintendent of Ontario W. I., and Miss Hazel
McCain, Superintendent of Quebec W. I., gave excellent addresses, the former
on " Pioneering, Past and Present", and the latter on " Adult Education."
" Promoting Peace on the Pacific" was the topic chosen by our Publicity
Secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey Price, who represented the Federated Women's
Institutes at the Pan- Pacific Conference in Honolulu. I would suggest W. I.
members read these addresses, which are recorded in the report of the Ninth
Biennial Convention.
Last but not least was the excellent speech by our gracious Federated
President, Mrs. A . E. Walker, of Bartonville, Ontario, who shipped a large box of
home- grown tomatoes from her farm for our banquet. " Show me the house
with an abundance of shelves filled with good books, where ideas are regarded
as the most necessary furnishings of the home, where music is listened to and
discussed, instead of being turned on and off again like a hot bath, where people
can sit in the evenings sometime and just talk without needing the radio, the
bridge- table, the movie or the auto to make life bearable; there you will sec
children who will be the educated men and women of tomorrow and who will
be able to spend to advantage their leisure time, be it much or little." This
quotation from Mrs. Walker's address gives you some idea of the many timely
and thoughtful remarks given us.
Deep regret was felt at the absence of Mrs. Cameron, Honorary President:
Miss Stuart and others. Mrs. A. H . Rogers, Recording Secretary of the Federated
W. I. for fifteen years, was honored with a life membership in appreciation of her
faithful service. The President, Mrs. Walker, reminded the delegates of the
meeting of the Associated Country Women of the World, to be held in Wash­ington,
D. C., in 1936, and expressed the wish that we avail ourselves of the
services of the fine women from other countries who may be visiting in our
several provinces.
In closing this report, I sincerely thank you for the wonderful privilege you
afforded me of meeting the representatives from Pacific to Atlantic shores, as
your representative at the Federated Convention.