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DISTRICTS HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS The district annual meetings of 941 presented an interesting and en- auraging picture .of the Women’s institutes of Ontario. The spirit of he meetings was one of courage and alarmination. A year ago at the dis« riot meetings there ‘was a, slight srvous tension, a feeling of groping n the dark wondering just what to do ml how. The tone of the meetings hanged with the news from day to av. This year that impression has nnislied. The Institutes have found heir place and are united in a firm abomination to carry on their work ‘ii national service and in community nil home life. War Work Discussed At each meeting time was spent in :j'OI‘tS and discussion of special war L'urk. The Women’s Institutes are n be congratulated on both the quantity and quality of this work which they are doing for the relief oi suffering, for the comfort of the 1 lugs and for the promotion of the ‘ ernment’s war efforts. Pro- ial Board directors spoke on be- , of the Victory Loan and the 1' \\'.I.0. Central Fund. Members \‘VI'E reminded that, in addition to illtlil’lg and sewing for war work, rural women have a special con- tribution to make in the production oi essential foodstuffs. At several nmiuals a representative of the Dairy I" rich, Ontario Department of Agri- culture, spoke in support of increased n ‘lk production for cheese for Psitain. The problems of rural life were not i'wrsotten. In Kingston a timely r- .nlution dealt with the problem of lower hydro rates for rural users \a lvich would bring them in line with tlu- rates in urban centers. In Haldi- imnd a resolution was passed sup- n ting the increased use of lard, a lwue produced shortening. Welland district is particularly in- l-v'csted in the national robIem of in t-war immigration, loo ing- on it n: a major problem of national and Ililernatlflnfil reconstruction. District Programmes Planned The educational programme of the Institutes was not neglected. With einht exceptions only, every district cl so some departmental service. Local leader training schools were (I Sen by 43 districts, speaker serVice I: I."- and oflicers’ rallies by 33. In addition to this, 92 short courses will I!" conducted in local Institutes. The district officers anticipate the Simport of every Institute in these practical district programmes. The Nod of maintaining a high standard nu the home front is still recognized as a first duty of every home-maker. Many standing committee con- \T'I'Iel's presented well compiled re- Ports, although there are still too many districts in which the Institute conveners are dilatory or negligent in sv‘nrhng in reports. Interest in rural youth continues. Women's Institutes are assisting the Juniors in their homemakinr! club Noiects financially and by providing leadership. One of the finest tributes T‘md_to Junior work was that of the president of South Oxford who spoke r'lmvmely, from her own experience, of the influence of this work. To the incoming ofllcers and con- venera we extend congratulations and “' h to express to you appreciation our willingness to carrv this ad- ditional task in these busv days, that the work at the Women's Institutes of Ontario may continue to grow. Published by The Ontario Women’s Institutes at Toronto, Ontario HOME and COUNTRY SUMMER, 1941 EAST MEETS WEST From Coast to Coast. provincial delegates, representatives and con- veners 'niet in Fredericton, New Brunswick, June 16th to 19th. 1941, for the twelfth biennial convention of the Federated Women‘s Institutes of Canada. The theme adopted for the next biennial term is “National Defense". The slogan “All out for Victory" is to be taken across the Dominion wher- ever a Women’s Institute is funct- inning. The Dominion President, Mrs. H. McGregor, Penticton, B.C., was in the chair. Mrs. Alfred Watt, M.A.. M.B.E., Patroness of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada, was present and representation from every province was complete. Ont- ario was represented by Mrs. T. .I. McDowell, Ist Vice-President, FIW. LC. and Mrs. Ernest Duke. Miss Mary A. Clarke, Superintendent, was in attendance, as was also Mrs. W. B. Leatherdale, the national Convener of Agriculture and Canadian Industries. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Mc- Gregor stressed the need for co-oper- ation from the provinces to make the National Federation a strong, flour- ishing organization. She asked for even greater unity than in the past for only in this way can we make the most efi'ective national con- tribution. Greetings were received from many international, national and proâ€" vincial bodies, all wishing us a suc- cessful and profitable convention. War Work Institutes were urged to look upon their war work as a national under- taking and responsibility. A report was given of the sending of $2,500.00 by the FIW.I.C. to the National Deâ€" partment of Defence. Reports of out- standing provincial achievements were discussed. A motion was carried to establish a Central War Fund of the F.W.I.C. registered under the War Charities Act, to serve as a clearing house for all provincial funds. This will give the War work a national character. The members of the committee to administer the Rind are the newly elected president, the corresponding secretary and the treasurer. The question of Women's Institutes shipping overseas was discussed. It was felt that whenever and wherever a local Institute wished to send its own contribution direct it was free to do so, but it was not advisable to set up central shipping centres. Locations and personnel to take charge of the centres \verelfelt to entail too great a responsibility, and the financial aspect was also a con- sideration. Mrs. Watt mentioned the fact that English women are bigger than the average Canadian, and that in our sewing and knitting we should make larger garments, as many articles of clothing sent over have been too small. _ Miss Fair-weather, representative of the Navy League, asked for our con- tinued support for the Navy and Merchant Marine. The report on the Peace Garden showed a sum of $500.00 in the treas- ury. It was decided that,‘s'ince there was no immediate possibility of exâ€" penditure on the Peace Gui-dank a Victory Bond shoidd be bought With this money. Mrs. Watt spoke briefly on the Queen’s Cnnndian Fund and. in re- ply to on appeal which was read, the Women’s Institutes consented to act as custodians of money for this fund wherever necessary, and where no other medium had been set up to re- ceive it. Standing Committees Revised At the Biennial in Edmonton dis- oussion arose dealing with the amalrziiiiiiition of Standing Coinv mittccs. Mrs. McMillan of Prince Edward ISIZIIIII led in discussion on the advisability of having fewer standing committees and doing inoro thorough and effective work through each. She said national convciiers should map out programmes looking to the future, not just reviewing the past. Programmes must be practical for practical women and all must have n part. A committee formed to bring in recommendations reported as fol- lows:â€" Slnnding Committees 1. Citizenshipâ€"to include Adult Education, Cnnadianizntion, Nutionul Events. International Relationships, Peace. 2. Home Economics. :3. Agriculture and Canadian In- dustrics. 4. Social Welfareâ€"to include Edu- cation in Public Services, Child Wel- fare, Public Health. 5. Publicity. 6. War Services. This recommended change was con- sidered a stop in the right direction and ell'ective results are looked for. All committees were requested to re- lntc their work to the theme “Nationâ€" al Defence" and to the problems of national and international recon- struction. It is regrettable that space does not permit the printing of oil con- veners‘ reports for there is much valuable material in them. If lins- sible, avail yourself of any oppor- tunity to read them. Provincial cunâ€" veners have been very coâ€"opcrutive in sending in their reports and nut- Iines. Mrs. Lenthcrdnlc, Dominion Convener of Agriculture and Can- adian Industries, had a very interest- ing display of Ontario potlery, lincn towels and table linen, home carded wool and sample articles knit from it. The discontinuance of the "Can- adian Home and Country" was taken up in detail and, for the present, it is not planner] that this magazine will again be published. The New Brunswick Provincial Convention was meeting at the some time as the Biennial and three joint sessions were held. In this way it was possible for all to hear the guest spoukcrs who had a special message {or us at this time. Mayor Forbes of New Brunswick in his address of welcome made everyone feel that we were welcome indeed to the Maritime Province of New Brunswick. Later. when we were privileged to hear His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, W. G. Clarke, L.L.I)., D.CIL.. the Hon- ourable J, B. McNair, Premier of New Brunswick, Mrs. McGrezor, Mrs. Watt, Dr. Charlotte Whilton. Miss Edith Elliott of the Consumer Ser- vice, Department of Agriculture, 0t- tawa, and Mrs. Hammond. Women’s editor of the "Family Herald and (Continued on page 8, col. 1) REPORT OF WARTIME ACTIVITIES Periodâ€"October 1, 1940 to March 3i, 1941 (I3 months). Number of Institutes Reportâ€" ing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9’71 Percentugc of Institutes Report- ing . . . 71.5 Noteâ€"I min only (HS reports received in response to the first questionnirc the number has increas- ed to ‘JTL Thanks again to all who have reported. We still look forward to reruiving complete returns. Knitting 68,33“ articles Sowing 64,713 articles Money in! or voted for War Work .....,.......$46,S7fi.28 Expenditure Control Fund, F.\\’.I.O. . “mil nml Suppl Red Cross Navy League Salvation Ai'iw , . . .. Britiin \Vnr Victims Fund Other Organizations War Savings Stamps Gifts to Loon] Men or Unit Other Expcinlitur SDCL Tho C rksonlnrne Park Insti« tute {I‘ve li a mended and sewn for the St. Hildus Girls School, I] sclinnl of English girls ,,tnhlished nt Erin- dnlc. Kr-nt Bridge (W. Kent) Iins provided furniture for n rump zit Clintlinni: Iluniivillo (Huldimnnd) lids. bought six chairs for tho soldiei's’ reci'cntion room and comforts fur Llir :‘Iii' Furro Hospital in lllllllle villc: Cliuil'ui (\Vcntwortli) has Sllli» scribed to magazines for the local air school. Juliilvu Enlisted 4,800.26 .. l,Ili.’i.78 | Activities Reported (l"'illli-iini‘) sold \l’nr Savings stamp. to Ull‘ value of 539400. Milli I: (Waterloo) piliil 5 cents: Luivnrils Dvci'v pill'r‘linao ..r stomps miqu by school children. Konnru llIHl has turned in old wonllon nint . and has [ind I‘ln blnnknts mode for England. Billinu’a (Manitoulin \V.) AL slump shoarinn time each niomlior wIm husband raised slump izzivn nm- fln Fleeces were guided and snld. Utlli'l‘s gave tlfl‘ price of nnl‘ flcoco. Smear Fund Cnntriliulimis in :lnti- $1,058.80 or “'llll'll S . gone to Instituth inn uliiullnl In i has uln-mly g jnm. MAPLE SUGAR FOR THE NAVY Tho zippunl of the Navy Lemme of Canada, Ontario llivision, for iiuiplo Su"lll' lur nur . IIIUI‘ incn met with n splendid I'L’Splln,»1. and the following letter of [hunks has come from Mr. E. Frank 'I'i'iiiilile, General Secretur “We are most grateful for the splendid support given by those moni- burs of the \i’uniun‘s Institutes who were :II)ll' to srnd [in us quite n large quantity of maple sugar in cukes of about four ounces each. These packages were most do- Iiizlitful and have been received with the utmost sincr‘ritv and happiness by our sailor mcnl May I tell you of one letter received from a suilnr who said I": win; so pleased to receive his cake of maple sugar. and such trcala were so scarce in England, um he was nrcscrvim: his cake for his wife and little family at home. Our President is desirous that I cx- press the very sincere thanks of himâ€" sclf and tho. oIIiccrs for the kindlv contributions made bv the Women’s Institutes in Ontario." To date 1,875 pounds have been contributed.