1939 - Convention Report

              s A L B E R T A WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Thomson, Grande Prairie, and on the Courtesy Committee, Mrs. H . D.
Finley, Jasper; Mrs. M. Zabel and Mrs. W. N. Bates, Alliance.
Under the capable leadership of Mrs. A. Wotherspoon, Picardville,
assisted at the piano by Mrs. H. E. Kelly, Calgary, community singing
throughout the Convention was very enjoyable.
Miss Muriel Cameron, lecturer and demonstrator from the Department
of Agriculture, Ottawa, was invited to address the gathering. She stated
that women everywhere were asking the question, " What can we do to help
our country at this time?" Her answer was, ( 1) Women should realize that
our homes are the bulwark of the nation and that mothers should carry a
smile and keep the whole family working properly; ( 2) Canada is fortunate
in having a plentiful supply of nourishing foods and women should see to it
that milk and vegetables are in the every- day diet of their families; ( 3)
Women should " Buy wisely" and in this connection she told of a new
bulletin, " Consumer Buying," which may be had by sending to Miss Pepper,
Department of Agriculture, Ottawa.
Mrs. H. R. Evans, Innisfree, gave a very interesting report of the
Standing Committee on Child Welfare and Public Health. This report is
found on page 45.
In an address, " The Rural Home Sanitation Plan," Mrs. Allison
MacMillan, Fan- view, P. E. I., Fedei- ated Convener, stated that houses were
either sanitary or insanitary, and insanitary houses are not confined to the
slums in industrial centres, but may be found in rural districts and even in
the vast and open spaces of the prairies.
Continuing Mrs. MacMillan said, " What constitutes bad housing? ( 1)
Structural defects in the house viz. poor foundations, dampness, leaky roof,
falling plaster, holes and cracks in the walls and floors; ( 2) Darkness and
inadequate ventilation; ( 3) Absence of adequate or readily accessible water
supply; ( 4) Absence of properly equipped kitchen or pantry to store and
conserve foods. The results of bad- housing are increased morbidity rate,
lessened expectation of life, increase in the number of communicable diseases,
increased general deterioration in the health of the people leading to debility
and poor physique.
" Improved housing does not always pi* event disease but improved
housing must be accompanied by Health Education. We must have sunlight
and proper ventilation. By proper ventilation we mean, air of proper
temperature, 65 to 68 degrees Fahr., free from dust and fumes. Fresh air
is nature's tonic. It stimulates the appetite, promotes sleep and good
digestion and increases the joy of living.
" Insects play a definite role in rural sanitation. The common house fly
is highly dangerous. Destroy as many as possible and redouble the efforts
during the Spring and early Fall and let us hope that some day wei may
enter into that blissful era prophesied by Koran, ' When all the flies shall
have perished except one'."
In concluding Mrs. MacMillan urged that the study of " Rural Home
Sanitation Plans" be continued and one very effective method was by
encouraging the children to write essays on the subject, thereby interesting
teachers, parents and communities.
Resolutions were then dealt with and all those that were carried are
found on page 16.
Mrs. H. A. Fulcher, Leduc, Convener, gave a splendid report on the
Committee of Handicraft and expressed thanks to the members of the