1939 - Convention Report

              T W E N T Y - F I R S T PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 77
Banquet. The first President cut the birthday cake. Mrs. Mellish stated
that the work of their Branches comprised, among many other things, youth
training, holding of Rural Sanitation Plan Contests, and clinics for tuberu-losis
tests, sponsoring beauty contests and placing women on School Boards.
The speaker paid tribute to Mrs. Watt and to Mrs. Bailey Price and ended
by saying, " While we work with our pens and our minds, we must not forget
the power of prayer."
Mrs. Elton Smith of Caledonia, Nova Scotia, stated that Instittutes in
that Province were specializing in Handicrafts. They celebrated their Silver
Jubilee in Halifax, i n August, 1938, by holding an Exhibit of Handicrafts,
showing the history of work in Nova Scotia.
Mrs. H. A. Dunham, of Havelock, New Bruswick, stated that their
Branches were trying to keep their minds on the aim " to build up a higher
civilization and a better democracy and to help its indivdual members in
the home." " In New Brunswick," she said, " they have proven that minori­ties
can live together in trust, friendship and peace. In 180 Institutes, Eng­lish
is spoken, and in 25 French is spoken, yet all co- operate— an object
lesson to the countries of Europe." In this Province there is close connec­tion
between the Government and the Institutes. Just now their Institutes
are busy with amendments to legislation re Inheritance Laws, somewhat
similar to Alberta's Dower Act.
Mrs. C. E . Petch of Hemmingford, Quebec, first paid tribute to Mi's.
Watt, and regarding Institute work in Quebec, reported steady progress
even though they were the smallest unit of institutes in Canada, having
only 100 Branches and a membership of 2,150. Public Health units are in
operation in 53 counties carrying on clinics for tuberculosis and instructions
to mothers. Rural Sanitation Plans have been studied by their Institutes
and close contacts made with the schools, hot lunches having been stressed.
Interest has been taken in Adult Education, under which English Literature
and Psychology have been studied, Drama Clubs and Book Circles formed,
and members trying to learn more about people from other countries, living
in their Province. Quebec has ceased printing their own Home and Country
and are supporting the Federated magazine. They sent a delegate to the
A. C. W. W. Triennial Convention. Until recently Quebec Institutes were
working under the Extension Department of McGill University, but that
assistance has now been withdrawn. The speaker paid tribute to Alberta
in her success in carrying out her own policies.
Mrs. P. J . McDowell of Milverton, Ontario, stated that the 103 Districts
in that Province were united in their projects. Canadianization has been
an interesting subject. Citizenship, Franchise and Peace Education have
been widely studied. They held a campaign for Rural Home Beautification
and aided reforestation by the planting of trees. The aim of many Branches
is enrichment of country life and 33 Institutes own their own libraries.
Interest is shown in Home Economics and Local Leader Schools have been
held, while 128 Institutes sponsored Short Courses. Local Branches do
relief work, have sent help to fire- swept areas, established Health Clinics,
rest rooms and parks.
Mrs. W. Hicks of Souris, Manitoba, stated that when the Institutes in
this Province celebrated their twenty- fifth anniversary, they realized that
for that number of years they had been following along different lines in
their projects and work, and that too much time and money were being
spent on these various things. So a questionnaire was sent out asking ( 1)
What Demonstrating can you do? ( 2) What papers or talks can you give?
( 3) What you would like to know more about, ( 4) What group activities
could you participate in?