1928 - Annual Convention

              40 A L B E R T A W O M E N ' S I N S T I T U T ES
peas was shown at the Waterhole fair. Berries also do well. Indeed the
possibilities of this part of the country are almost unlimited. High P r a i r i e,
B i g Meadows and McLennan have all planted some shrubbery and hope to do
much more. Small fruit- growing is a profitable industry here. Plum and
cherry trees are being planted. A caragana hedge was planted around the
cemetery. Lower Beaver Lodge has spent considerable money and time in
improving the cemetery. Grande P r a i r i e has ordered enough trees to plant
a i l the main streets of the town.
These reports show that we are gradually building up a land of perman­ent
homes which our children w i l l be proud to have as their heritage.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CANADIAN INDUSTRY
( Mrs. Mclvor, Stettler, Convener)
The Committee on Canadian Industries, while a new one, is destined, by
the variety of its associations and influences, to become a real factor in
building up prosperity and better l i v i n g conditions i n our communities, and
in this way we as women can do a great deal. It requires persistence, but
that is a natural trait of our sex, and therefore one virtue less to cultivate.
It requires determination to always demand the home- produced article when
we shop. Here i t w i l l be well to mention that i n the buying of home products
it is necessary that they be of the highest quality and at a reasonable figure;
therefore, price and quality being equal, it is an obligation to give preference
to Alberta, Canadian and B r i t i s h Empire goods. This, however, does not
discredit the foreign article, because we are dependent on a certain percent­age
of imports from an economical standpoint, rather it is the necessity to
contribute to the support of the industries in our own country, and surely
the real proof of prosperity lies i n the healthy condition of the home market,
the magnet that w i l l attract industrial expansion. Probably indifference is
the most deadening influence i n this regard, largely because the thought has
not occurred to us that 90 per cent, of the buying of household requisites is
done by the women. It is not hard to see what an influence they assert in
the sphere of trade development, and i f I accomplish nothing more than to
arouse i n you the desire to spend that dollar b i l l earned by the labor produced
f r om your own homes and place it where it w i l l return bringing i n its wake
increased employment and industrial expansion, I shall feel that the effort is
tremendously worth while.
One can discourse at great length on this subject and its allied possi­bilities,
but I should like to say the obligations are not a l l ours— the Canadian
manufacturers have a responsibility too. They w i l l have to t u r n out the best
possible product in order to compete profitably with the imported article.
While it has not been possible to correspond directly with all, I have
attempted the next best thing. Material respecting the natural resources,
industries and relative products has been gathered, papers prepared and sent
out as demanded relating to above subjects; special articles written on Empire
Shopping week ( a movement entirely launched by women, which as you know
has now spread its message to a l l parts of the B r i t i s h Empire and has been
endorsed by both labor and finance). Interviews were held with v i s i t i ng
trade commissioners on conditions i n other countries. I served on the pro­v
i n c i a l committee in connection with Empire Shopping week i n A l b e r t a ; was
a special guest of the Board of Trade and Canadian Manufacturers' Asso­ciation
at their luncheon held during Empire Shopping week to popularize
the idea. The menu consisted of all local products, which proved not only
a revelation but a source of delight to the palate. A series of radio ad­dresses
relative to the industries of our province was arranged, and a special
programme was planned during the above week. His Honor the Lieutenant
Governor kindly consented to give the opening address, and read the follow­i
n g telegram from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales:
" I heartily congratulate Canada on inauguration of Empire Shopping week
throughout the Dominion. The increase of inter- empire trade which it is the
purpose of the movement to foster, is an object which has my whole- hearted
support, and I wish Empire Shopping week in Canada an immediate and last­i
n g success."
Mayor B u r y spoke, emphasizing the economic necessity of home industry.
Mr. Howard Stutchbury, A l b e r t a Trade Commissioner and Secretary of the