1932 Convention Report

              E I G H T E E N T H A N N U A L R E P O RT 31
Canadian" what it means to be a Canadian. Let me impress the importance
of this upon you, and may that impression be evident in your work on Can-a
d i a n i z a t i o n and national events during the coining year. Much has been
accomplished during the past few years. Much remains to be done. The
possibilities of this department are almost limitless.
The five- year plan of community contests, under the direction of Dr. W . J .
B l a c k and D r . R. C. Wallace, is of inestimable value, and will do much to
create a better understanding among these people from other lands.
There is an awakened interest in this branch of our work, throughout
the province, nearly a l l branches report splendid papers given on the " New
Canadian," " Our National Holidays," " Armistice Day," " T h a n k s g i v i n g D a y ,"
" E m p i r e and V i c t o r i a Day," " What we should do as Canadian Citizens," " The
Future of Canada." Knowledge has been sought of the men and women who
have made themselves famous in various ways. Kathleen P a r l o w , E d w a rd
Johnstone, Jeanne Gordon being among those who have brought fame to
Canada through their gifts of song and music.
M a n y branches report prizes offered for best essays on some phase of
Canada. Schools have been presented with copies of the Peace Pact and
photographs of the Prince of Wales. The importance of and respect for our
flag seems to have played a considerable part in teaching patriotism.
Travel talks have been given on our Dominion, with occasional glimpses
from other lands, " Scotland." " In E n g l a n d T o d a y , " " Ireland and Wales." " A
jaunt through our N a t i o n a l P a r k s " and " Seeing Canada F i r s t " have been en­joyed.
F r o m time to time branches have been urged to interest themselves in
local history from the time of first settlement of a locality to the present,
and in legends and traditions of their district or province. This is beginning
to bear fruit, but one big difficulty presents itself; how to get these valuable
records together before they are destroyed or pass out of knowledge. Fre­quently
the paper is given in the local Institute and then straightway for­gotten
and that is the end. How can we conserve these records for coming
generations?
Great progress has been made in the purchase of Canadian books and
magazines. Conveners have presented sample copies of various periodicals,
f a rm journals, etc., for discussion and inspection at meetings. Mrs. Wood,
our P r o v i n c i a l Supervisor of Girls' Clubs, in speaking before the southern
D i s t r i c t Conference, strong^' condemned the flooding of Canadian market by
a certain type of A m e r i c a n magazine. I believe this focussed public opinion
i n such a manner it has proved beneficial to our Canadian periodicals.
It is pleasing to know that the appreciation of beauty and art are being
fostered by a number of branches, and great pressure has been brought to
bear on governments to preserve many beauty spots for coming generations.
D u r i n g the past year it has been my privilege to visit a number of Insti­tutes
and to come into personal touch with chairmen of my committee, which
has helped considerably in p u t t i n g over programs.
Immigration.
I m m i g r a t i o n for the present is halted, which is a good thing considering
the financial conditions of the country. Now is our opportunity to do effect­ive
work among the strangers within our gates, who have c o r a e t o us with
h i g h hopes for the future.