1937 - Convention Report

              7- 1 ALBERTA WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
Prince Edward Island is also the home of a unique and growing industry,
which originated and has had its largest and most successful development here—
the black and silver fox industry. There are over six hundred fox ranches scat­tered
over the Island, and pelts are being shipped to all parts of the world.
The garden party at the historic Government House, one hundred years old,
was given in honor of the delegates attending the joint Convention of the
Federated Women's Institutes of Canada and the Provincial W. I. of Prince
Edward Island. Received by His Honor Lieutenant- Governor DeBlois and His
Gracious Chatelaine, the delegates relaxed from routine duties to enjoy the
beauty of their surroundings. On the high ground across Hillsboro Bay they
could see Fort La Joie, which was established by the French before the fall of
Quebec.
The business meetings of the Board were all interesting. Slight amendments,
widening the scope of the Board's representation and making provision for future
development, were contained in the newly amended constitution and by- laws of
1935. Among some of the subjects considered were the welfare work of the
Women's Institutes, the relation of Institutes to industry, and the W. I. acre in
the International Peace Garden.
Mrs. A. H. Rogers, Recording Secretary, reported 2,672 Institutes in Canada,
with a membership of 71,107. Eight life memberships had been awarded for
outstanding service to the organization. Mrs. Rogers also stressed the import­ance
of assembling W. I. records for the compiling of Women's Institute history.
Prize- winning exhibits of Nova Scotia's portfolio contests among children
were displayed, and this scheme was recommended to all provinces. The study
of trade treaties was suggested as a means of stimulating interest in national
industries. Co- operation with Governmental Departments, and all movements
for the prevention of disease, and improvement of health conditions generally
was stressed by Mrs. E. E. Petch, of Quebec.
The need for closer contact with Manufacturers' Associations was urged by
Miss M. V. Powell, who spoke on the matters to be taken up with the CM. A., such
as, labels on yardage, or clothing goods, which give quality, grades or facts
concerning the construction or definite performance of the article, as to shrink­age,
color fastness and fabric durability.
Laxity of Canadian laws providing for naturalization of new citizens came
in for much discussion, and it was the expressed opinion of Mrs. W. H . Peake,
Convener of Canadianization, that Canada might well follow the U. S. A. in the
matter of examinations of prospective citizens. " Citizenship would be prized more
highly if such a method were followed," the delegates said. The Jacques Cartier
celebration last year had done much to create interest and make for a united
national sentiment between the two great peoples.
Promotion of handicrafts had provided an absorbing medium for friendli­ness
to erstwhile foreign- born, who had a rich contribution to make to Canada.
Discussion of uniform school text books revealed great differences of opinion.
The weakness of the present educational system throughout Canada, delegates
believed, was that it was planned for academically- minded children. Every
Province realized the necessity of providing a greater variety of courses for the
requirement of all the children, it was felt.