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dio and other means of communication on such subâ€" jects as family life-including family planning and citiâ€" zenSl‘th and to give training in economic activities including cottage and home industries. farming, rural deveIOpment and (IO-Operatives. The impact of women’s status and participation on [he population issue has been recognized. Studies have been shown there is an inter-relationship between the educational. economic. legal. social and political status of women and their capacity to freely and responsibly exercise their right to decide on the number and spacâ€" ing of their children. and so effect the population pol- icy. The world population Plan of Action asks that family responsibilities be fully shared by both part. ners. It also places strong emphasis on maternal and child care. and requests a minimum age for marriage. recommends a diversified education for girls and stresses women's crucial role in bearing and rearing children. Mrs. Sipila called for concerted effort at every level to implement the goals and objectives oi" international Women‘s Year: (a) the achievement of equality of men and women imihe integration of women in decision making in community life at all levels (C) the promotion of world peace A highlight ofthe year will be the UN. Conference in Bogota, Colombia. June 23 to July 4. 1975. where a World Plan of Action is in preparation on the aims and objectives of l.W,Y. Here involvement by men is encouraged as much as that of women. l.W.Y. will benefit women and their children directly and all so- ciety, There must be an interâ€"relationship between both sexes in society where both share equally in its numbers. in participation and benefits. National Day “National Day“ was Australia’s formal welcome to us all. Fortunately it was a beautiful spring day with a slight breeze. bright sun and blue skies, We were all taken to King’s Park â€" a highland overlooking the sparkling waters of the estuary. During the arrival of the buses. a band played and accompanied the massed choir of the Countrywomen of Australia. This beau- til‘ul choir of women from all over Australia was to share the gift of song with us many times during the 1 ,. y A Ontario Women's Institute members attending Conference, FWlO official delegates front row (1.) Mrs Donald MacLachian. Conference. Then. during the afternoon. we walked from one entertainment to another all around the park. We listened to a team of Bell Ringers: saw a presentation by South Australia of the mosaic of na- tionalities that came to populate AuStralia: heard a record of bird calls of New South Wales: saw West Australia‘s presentation of aborigines‘ playing the did- geridoo; heard songs around a campfire by Victoria: a story of New South Wales: a folk singing group from Queensland and a tableaux by the W.A.B. of South Australia. Opening Day By Opening Day, delegates from 5l countries of the world had arrived and swelled our numbers to nearly 1.500. We all crowded into the Conference Hall in the evening for that very important “Opening Cere- mony“. FolloMng the singing of the National Anthem. the flags of all member countries of A.C.W.W. were pa- raded and later formed an arch at the back or the stage. It was a proud moment when the Canadian Flag was dipped at the front of the stage and later took its place with the others. The Honourable, Sir Charles ('ourt. Premier of West Australia. in welcoming us pttid great tribute to the pioneer women of Australia who had played such an important part in the development of lhcir land. The remote places into which they had gone with their husbands were now the locations 01‘ the best farms. most productive mines and best industrial areas. Mrs. Farquharson. A.C.W.W. President. responded to the addresses by saying that the Conference had it golden opportunity to shape the course of tomorrow just as so much of what had been done in the past by our members enriched the present tor us. She mcn~ tioned that the pressures which tend to divide Us today can. with the co-operation ol~ ill]. be bridged by poxiv tive recognition of the things that unite us. Even now the partnerships which already CXIH manil‘cst them. selves through an atmosphere ol‘ l’ricndsliip and UH» derstnnding in the way experienced societies hpr the newly emergent groups. One unique udvuntttge we have is in our organization being the only inter» national organization of countrVWumcn and home- makers. Today the greatest challe to development Mrs. G. E. McCatfrey, Mrs H. L. Nobtftt, President, Mrs Wm, G Miller. Secretary Treasurer. Mrs Effie Ellerback. Mrs Della Fletcher, F. W]. O. ’5 second counctl member 2|