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Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 flational Council of Momen of Canaba. V J HAMILTON, 1899. Ipresibent's flDemoranbum. Retiring President's Memorandum OF THE Business Transacted at the Sixth Annual Meeting of the National Council of Women of Canada, held at Hamilton, October 19th to October 26th, 1899. For the sixth and hist time, it is my pleasant duty as Presi- dent, to lay before my fellow-officers and before our Local Councils and federated National Societies, my Presidential Memorandum, gfiving- an abstract of the work done and of the work planned by the National Council of Women of Canada at its Annual Meeting. I am sure that before these words can reach you, our delegates will have made it tlieir pleasure to report the exceeding cordiality with which we were received by Hamilton both in our corporate and in our individual capacity. The personal jourtesy shown to us by the Mayor in a hundred delicate ways, the especial consideration whereby the Corporation made an exception in our favour so as to allow us the use of the Council Chamber and other rooms in the City Hall, the illumination of the city nightly in our honour by the Corooration; these and other indications of hearty welcome will not re.idily be forgotten by us. But apart from these public greetings, the reception of our delegates by the private hosts and hostesses who received them with such genuine hospitality into their own homes, the ample luncheon so tastefully and generously provided daily for all dele- gates by the Hamilton Local Council and the series of delightful receptions given by the Local Council, Mrs. Hoodless, Mrs. Wat- kins, Mrs. Charlton, and Mrs. A. S. Wood, all give occasion for very grateful thoughts when remembering our visit to Hamilton. This must especially be the case when we call to mind the fact that owing to the sad and sudden death of Senator Sanford, Mrs Sanford as President of the Local Council, was unable to take the part she had hoped to do in receiving- the National Council, and Mrs. J. M. Gibson, who as Vice-President, had so splendidly come to the front and had taken the lead in all the arrangements, was laid aside, two days before the Council, by an attack of scarlet fever, to the g^reat disappointment of all. Under these circumstances, all the more credit is due to the Hamilton Council with their efficient former President, Mrs Lyle, at their head, for thinking of everything that could conduce to our comfort and forgetting nothing. Our thanks were formally tendered at the end of our Council meetings but 1 must again here record them to Mrs A. T. Wood and her Hospitality Committee ; to Mrs. W. H. Ballard .md her Billeting Committee ; to Miss Harris and her Printing and Press Committee ; to Mrs. J. Charlton who watched over the carrying- out of all arrangements with such care, and to Mrs. John Calder and her Entertainment and Decorative Committee, not forgetting either the kind entertainment and luncheon given by Mrs. Calder to the Executive after the Council had adjourned. I am well aware of the time and trouble which all these ar- rangements give, and 1 have ventured to ask those responsible for the Hospitality arrangements at our last two Annual Meetings at Ottawa and Hamilton to draw up a little leaflet on " How to enter- tain the National Council," giving facts and figures and sug- gestions from their own experience. This must not be held to indicate that we expect what was done for us at Ottawa and Hamilton to be always repeated. Elach city must have its own individuality and the more it retains this in the reception of its guests the better, and we should indeed be sorry if it were supposed that the members of the National Council expect to be expensively entertained wherever they go. I think I may safely answer for them that their great desire is to be no burden on those who so kindly invite them and that simplicity, which is in no way incompatible with hospitality, should ever be kept in view in the entertainments provided for a body of women who meet together to further the aims we have in view. It is the remembrance of the true-hearted hospitality so characteristic of Can- ada, though manifested in many different ways, that makes us feel so warmly towards the various cities which have received us as their guests during the last six years, and which have thereby so largely contributed to our capacity for doing the work which our gatherings are intended to accomplish. I must not, however, linijer on the outward circumstances of our recent Annual Meetini^, but must proceed to business. And first then, let me speak of FINANCE. It will be remembered last year, that the Finance Committee made the following recommendations, which were adopted by the Council : — 1. " That each Local Council be asked to make their Presi- dent an Annual Patron of the National Council." 2. "That this Committee beg to recommend that changes be made in the Constitution by Adding to Article VH — for both the National and Local Councils a section providing for Life Member- ship, the fee to be $25.00 for the National and $15 for the Local Councils, the names of Life Members to be printed after the list of Life Patrons ; said Life Membership to be regarded as a tribute of honour and of appreciation of the person who is a Life Member, or of the person who becomes a Life Member in either the National or Local Councils." 3. " That a definite sum be raised as * National Council Aid ' by the Local Councils and Nationally Organized Societies — by giving a proportionate sum per capita of two cents for each mem- ber of their affiliated Societies or Branches. If necessary, this amount may be raised by some public efTort such as lectures or evening entertainments, bearing upon the work of the Council or Society." The adoption of these recommendations have had such good results that our Treasurer was able triumphantly to announce this year an income of $1,021.00, and an expenditure of $809.49, leaving a balance of $211.51 in our favor. This income was made up of : — Balance in hand $2512 Yearly Council Fees. i 20 00 Payment for Verbatim Reports 182 25 Donations to Council Aid Fund. . . . 469 00 Fees for Life Membership 175 00 Annual Patrons 21 00 Sundries 28 67 $1,021 04 The Councils which gave donations to the Council Aid Fund are as follows : — Toronto $ 50 oo Montreal 50 00 Ottawa . 50 00 London 50 00 Vancouver 50 00 West Alg-oma 50 00 Winnipeg" 50 00 Victoria 50 00 Quebec 25 00 St. John 25 00 Kingston (as Life Member). .. 25 00 Halifax 25 00 Regina 1 5 00 Brandon 10 00 W. A. Association 8 00 These contributions were raised in various ways, some by en- tertainments, some by assessment, some by obtaining Life Mem- berships. Pleasing testimony was given in more than one instance, and notably by Ottawa, that the result of the entertainment given, consisted not merely in the collection of so much money, but in the popularization of the Council and an increase of membership and a better understanding of its aims. It will be well for Councils to remember this experience and to consider whether an occasional bright entertainment either with or without some explanation of Council work may prove of value to their cause and win recruits. Now, as to the Special Fund of $1,000, which I undertook to raise personally for three years so that the expenses of an Organ- izing Secretary and Central Office for the National Council might be guaranteed for that time without trenching on the ordinary funds of the Council. Kind friends have enabled me to raise very nearly the whole of it, as will be seen by the following table : — PROMISED FOR LADY ABERDEEN'S SPECIAL FUND. AMOUNT PROMISED. 1899 1900 1901 Mrs. John AlcDouKail. Montreal, paid for 1899 Mrs. G. A. Drumniond, " Sir Frank Smith, Toronto, paid for 3 years . Mrs. W. E. Sanford, Hamilton, paid for 1899 Ladv Gzowski, Toronto " " |2(X) 00 100 00 100 00 100 (X) 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 35 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 10 00 5 00 $200 00 100 00 1(X) 00 100 00 $200 (X) 1(X) (XJ 1(X) 00 1(X) (X) Miss Carty, Toronto Mrs. Sedgwick, Ottawa Mrs. Archibald, Halifax, ($25 paid) Mrs. W. W. OKiivie, Montreal, paid for 1899 Mrs. Charles Wilson, Vancouver 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 35 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 10 00 10 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 50 00 Mrs. C. A. E. Harris, Ottawa, paid for 1899 Mrs. E. H. Bronson, Ottawa... Mr. A. T.Wood, M. P., Hamilton Mrs, A. T. Wood, Mrs. J. A. Gibson, Mrs.W, Cumminj^s (Life Membership Fee).... Mrs. R. Reid, Montreal Mrs. Edward Griffin, Ottawa, paid for 1899 Local Council, New Westminster " " 35 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 25 00 10 00 10 00 Local Council, P. E. 1 Mrs. McEwen, Brandon " " 5 00 11,005 00 $910 00 $905 00 Amount paid in for 1899 Still owinj; $915 00 90 00 $ 1 ,005 00 In this way. if Local Coiincil.s are able to keep up their con- tributions to the Council Aid, the total income of the Council for the next three years will amount to about $2,000, and I do not think that our orj.^anization can well be carried on satisfactorily or efficiently for much less than this. J am more than ever convinced of the absolute necessity of an established Central Office, which shall also be our Bureau of Information under the Superintendence of a Secretary whose training, experience and command of both French and Kn^'-lish fit her for the post, and whose services can be retained for the Council. $r,ooo a year is the minimum sum for which we can hope to rent an office and retain such a Secretary, and in addition, we have her travelling expenses to consider when visitinj>- Councils or or- ganizing^ new ones. Doubtless, however, existing^ Councils who desire a visit from her will consider this matter and the formation of a number of new Councils will after a while share and consider- ably lessen the burden now lying on the existinj^ Councils. It has been a very real joy to me to witness the j:fenuin'^ and spontaneous welcome jj^iven to my friend, Miss Teresa Wilson, on her assumption of her duties. This welcome is in itself the best guarantee of the success of the new regime, and I have every con- fidence that the value of such an officer will be so fully realized after three years experience that there will be no hesitation about raising the wherewithal to carry on the Central Office. Still, I would not be discharging my duty as retiring President were I not once more to remind our Councils that an effort will be required, and that if they believe in the value and patriotism of our work they will prepare for this contingency beforehand. PRINTING OF VERBATIM REPORTS. In connection with the subject of Finance, the question of the cost of printing the Verbatim Reports came up very prominently, and the suggestion from Montreal to the effect that " instead of a short Annual Report, one Report of moderate size be printed, in- cluding the papers and the results of discussions, but not the dis- cussions themselves, was considered." The Finance Committee also made recommendations on the same subject, and there was a full discussion, for which I must refer you to the Report itsell. Suffice it to say that the intrinsic value of our Verbatim Reports was fully admitted, but the prac- tical difficulties of their expense and of disposing of them were also brought forward. I ventured to express the opinion, which I repeat now, that it would be a fatal mistake to give up these Re- ports, the existence of which does so much to ensure the continuity of our work, and also enables the distant Councils to keep in touch with what is being done. Finally, the following resolutions were passed : — 1. "That the sum of $300 be appropriated for printing the Verbatim Report of this year." 2. " That the Verbatim Report be sold at fifty cents a copy." 3. " That a free copy of the Verbatim Report be given to each Local Council and Nationally Organized Society federated to the National Council, as a nucleus of a Reference Library." 4. " That the Corresponding Secretary be appointed Editor of the Verbatim Report and of the Handbook." V Mrs. Varker of London kindly offered to defray the expenses of printing' the Handbook for this year, as the small Report is henceforth to be called when amended, and her offer was gratefully accepted. Let me beg our friends everywhere to show their interest by ordering copies of the Verbatim Report which will be ready very shortly, sending orders and payment for the same to Miss T. F. Wilson. t CENTRAL OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA. Kindly note that the address of this office w iM from henceforth be 2j4 /js^'-(/r Street, Ottawa, and that all comnumications on Council business should be addressed there to Miss T. F. Wilson. Local Councils des!'ing Miss Wilson's pr. ence en an: special occasion are requested to give her as long notice :-. possible of their wisius. It will also be very helpful if an\ of our members who can give information regarding districts where new Councils might be formed would communicate with Miss Wilscn. Let me also remind you here of another request on behalf of Miss Wilson. If the Central Office is to become the National Bureau of Information which we intend it to be, it will be necess- ary to collect there all information bearing on women, their position, education and work in all relations of life. Every indi- vidual member of Council can help in this respect by cutting out items of Interest and sending them on. All Reports and publica- tions regarding societies and institutions with which women are connected should also be sent to the Office, and Local Councils and National Societies, whether federated or not, will be doing a real kindness if they will cut out and forward all newspaper and other accounts of their meetings or tell of the progress of any part of their work. The Local Councils can also help in another way very con- siderably, if they will interchange such newspaper reports as ap- pear ; and, if I may, I would also like to put in an appeal for reports of this kind to come my way. If they could be cut out and slipped into an envelope, and addressed to me at Haddo House, Aberdeen, they would interest me very much and help me to keep in touch with the work as I should like. i 8 PROVINCIAL VICE-PRESIDENTS' REPORTS AND RE- PORTS OF LOCAL COUNCILS AND NATIONAL SOCIETIES. These will be found in the Verbatim Report and should be read, as many contain very valuable ideas. May I sug^g-est that it would be very useful if each Local Council would depute one of its members to go through these Reports and give a little account of the work being done by the Local Council and National Societies throughout Canada at one of the regular meetings. I am sure this would be welcomed and when our Council members travel from one city to another, they would feel they had friends waiting for them in the fellow workers about whose efforts they had heard. I am particularly glad to hear that Montreal has started a Social Study Club for the systematic study of questions with which workers for the social good of the community have to deal. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES. 1. Committee on Laws for Better Protection of Women AND Children. Mrs. Drummond, the Convener, reported that the same amendments to the Criminal Code formerly pressed on the Govern- ment had been again brought before the Minister of Justice, who had shown his sympathy by incorporating them in the Bill which he brought before the Senate, where it passed. Unfortunately the press of business in the Commons prevented the Bill being brought forward there and so it stands over for yet ^mother year. The Minister of Justice informs us that its future fate must depend on the expression of public opinion which he should re- ceive in its support, and Local Councils and National Societies are urged to remember how great is their influence in the forma- tion of public opinion and how great therefore is their responsibil- itv. No law can be of use unless it receives the sanction of public opinion, and this is a fact we cannot repeat too often. On the regretted resignation of Mrs. Drummond from the Convenership of this Committee, Mrs. Edwards was appointed Convener. 2. Committee on the Circulation of Pernicious Literature. In the deplored absence of Mrs Tilley through illness, Mrs Willoughby Cummings presented her report, insisting on the con- tinued need of watchfulness in this regard. <:; 1 i <» I It was agreed that a leaflet should be printed and circulated giving- the names of the papers prohibited from circulation in Canada, so as to put parents on their guard. Stress was also laid on one of the desired amendments to the Criminal Law, being one to inflict a penalty on the " private" as well as the " public" sale of pernicious literature. On Mrs Tilley's necessary resignation, Mrs George Kerr of Toronto was appointed Convener in her place. 3. Committee on Number and Treatment of Feeble Minded Women in the Dominion. In the absence of Mrs. Tilley this report was also presented by Mrs Willoughby Cummings and dealt with the difficulty of obtaining reliable statistics concerning a matter of great import- ance to future generations. In adopting the Report, a resolution was passed dealing with this subject which will be found amongst the list of resolutions passed. On the resignation of Mrs. Tilley, Mrs. Yarker of London was appointed Convener of this Committee. 4. Care of the Aged Poor. This Report was presented at an evening Meeting on Tuesday, October 24th, by the Convener, Mrs Willoughby Cummings. I beg to refer our members to the Verbatim Report for an ac- count of this and of the two most valuable papers subsequently read by Miss Mabel Cartwright of Toronto, and Miss Chown of Kingston, who has had much experience as Secretary ot the Asso- ciated Charities of Jersey City. A resolution was passed in adopting the report, which will be found amongst the resolutions. 5. Committee on Provision of Work for the Poor. Report presented by Miss Wilson in the absence of Miss Reid, the Convener, and on the recommendation of the latter this Committee was not re appointed. 6. Literature and Home Reading Circles. On hearing the very favourable report of the progress of the National Home Reading I'nion in Canada, the following resolution i 10 was passed, urging- the Home Reading Union which now has Circles in all parts of the Dominion, to federate as a National Society. 7. Press Committee. The Report was presented by the Convener, Mrs Willoughby Cummings, who impressed the Council with an account of the in- formation which had been circulated through the means of the members of the Press Committee, by the kindness of a number of newspapers. Resolutions of thanks were passed to the members of the Press Committee themselves, and to the many newspapers who have ad- vanced the work of the Council in Canada, by the free publication of reports and other articles of interest, 8. Immigration Committee. No formal Report was presented by the Convener, Mrs. Cox, who was absent through the illness of her daughter, but a letter was read, showing that enquiries were being carried on as to the probable immigration of Finnish Women, owing to the difficulties in Finland. , RESOLUTIONS PASSED. I will now give you a list of the general resolutions passed by the Council, most of which have a direct interest for the Local Councils, and some of which suggest work which should be con- sidered, and if possible, undertaker, by them. The first, however, to be reported is one which will receive the enthusiastic approval of every woman in Canada. It runs as follows :— Resolution of Thanks and Sympathy to the Queen. "That the Members of the National Council of Women of Canada do present to Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria their most humble and grateful thanks for the great honour and privilege conferred upon their delegates and members attending the International Congress ot Women by her reception of them at Windsor Castle. They desire to assure Her Majesty that the memory of her gracious kindness will always be to them a precious and inspiring mciiiory. The National Council of Women of Canada further desire to convey to Her Majesty the expression of their most loyal devotion, and their desire in common with the whole people of Canada to I i "1. i 11 join in upholding^ the honour of the Empire whilst deeply grieving- that Her Majesty should be called upon to undergo the sorrow- brought to her heart by the losses entaile*'. on her and on her people by the present War." I have had the honour to be entrusted with this resolution, in order that I may convey it to Her Majesty. The second is also a resolution of National importance :— Canadian Transvaal Contingent. "Resolved that the General Officers of the National Council of Women of Canada be appointed a Standing Committee with power to add to their number, with full powers to adopt all measures for the purpose of promoting the comfort and well-being of the Canadian Militia Contingent proceeding to South Africa on active service in defence of the Empire, and their wives and famil- ies, as may be deemed desirable by the Dominion Government." This resolution was passed, after some discussion as to the best method of co-operation for the National Council to adopt in this matter, as so many Local Committees have been formed with the object of supplying immediate needs ; it was felt that the most appropriate position for our Council to take up would be to place ourselves at the disposal of the Dominion Government. In answer to a telegram communicating this resolution, the Minister of Militia telegraphed to express the thanks of the Govern- ment. With reference to this question, the Council also received communications from the Montreal Herald F"und, from the Red Cross Society, and from the Society formed by the ladies connected with the Militia acting under Mrs. Hutton, for the assistance of the families of those soldiers who had proceeded to the Transvaal. A deputation of the London Local Council was deputed to ^o down to the Station to convey the greetings of the Council to the London Contingent of the Militia which was passing Hamilton on October 25th, on their way to join their comrades. Mrs. Boomer reported subsequently that these greetings were much appreciated. The following telegram was also sent by the desire of the Coun- cil to Colonel Otter, in Command of the Canadian Contingent : — "The National Council of Women oi' Canada send heartiest greetings to the Canadian Contingent for the Transvaal with best wishes for a good voyage and a speedy and triumphant return." A hearty message of thanks was received in return from Colonel Otter, before le;iving Canada. 12 LOAN FUND FOR PROVIDING WORK MATERIALS FOR DOUKHOBOR WOMEN. A very interesting account was jj^iven by Mrs Fitzgibbon of her visit to the Doukhobor settlements. After telling' of the industry, cleanliness, modesty and genial manners of the people, she spoke of the great grief they felt at not possessing materials with which they could produce the needle- work and embroidery in which they are adepts. Great interest having been manifested in the subject by all the delegates present, the following resolution was passed : — Resolved: — " That a Standing Committee for the purpose of raising a Loan Fund for providing materials for work for the Doukiiobor women and for arranging for the sale of work done by them, be ap- pointed, and that this Standing Committee be composed of the General Officers, Presidents of Local Councils and Nationally Federated Societies or the substitutes appointed by them, with Mrs. Fitzgibbon as Convener." As authority was given to this Standing Comittee to proceed at once and to communicate with the different Local Councils, I need not enlarge further on this subject, save to say that Mr Smart, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, assured me of the hearty ap- proval of his Department in the proposed movement, and his read- iness to give any direction and co-operation necessary. C.\RE OF Feeble Minded Women. Resolved: — "That in accordance with the suggestion of the Standing Committee upon "The Care of Feeble-minded Women "the National (-ouncil do petition the various Provincial Governments, asking them to conduct a careful investigation into the matter in the several Provinces. Be it further resolved that a deputation of members ot the several Local Councils, with the several Provincial Vice- Presidents as Conveners, do wait upon their Provincial Governments to press the importance of the matter upon them ' ' . WMth reference to the above resolution, I must again beg our Councils to peruse Mrs. Tilley's report as given in the Verbatim Report, which will show how grave is the danger involved to Can- ada in these poor feeble minded women being left to wander about without care. I trust that all our Councils will be willing to take part in the Deputations to their Provincial Governments, which are suggested in the above resolution. Cakk o\' ruE Aged Poor. " That each Local Council be asked to appoint a Sub-Committee to deal with the matter, the Convener of which to be a member of the 1 4. !1 il 13 standing!; Commictee aforesaid of the Council, and tliat this Sub- committee study ail matters connected with the care of the Poor and bring them before their Councils from time to time, and " That the National Council authorize the Local Councils in the Province of Ontario, Manitoba and the North West Territories, and British Columbia, to petition their respective Legislatures to enact a law similar to that of Quebec and Nova Scotia, in order to com- pel the children and other relatives to make provision for their aged poor when this is possible." Women Officers for Hospitals and Asylums for the Insane. Resolved : — " That the National Council of Women recommend the addition of women physicians to the medical staff of the Hospitals, Asylums for the Insane, and other Institutions, where women and children are provided for, and that Local Councils be requested to consider the question and to further such appointments in their own district" and Resolved : — " That a copy of the above resolution be sent to each Provincial Government". Early Shopping. " That each member of the National Council of Women of Canada be invited to consider whether a larger measure of freedom and leisure can be given to storekeepers and their employees on Satur- day by customers shopping on Friday, or, when this is impossible, on Saturday morning." Weekly Half Holiday for Employees in Stores. Resolved: — " That Local Councils be asked to consider how the weekly half-holiday for employees in stores and other places of business can be promoted." With reference to the two resolutions g-iven above, so many local difl'erences exist that we hope that our Local Councils will consider how best the principle of a weekly half-holidav and greater leisure for storekeepers and their employees can be obtained. Life Members for National Coinctl. '• That the following paragraph be added to Article VII of the Con- stitution as Section 4 : — " Any person whose name is accepted by the Executive Committee may be made a Life Member of the National Council on payment of a fee of |I25, and may take part in the proceedings and discussions of the public meetings of the Council, but may not vote. The names of such Life Members shall be printed immediately after those of the Life P.-'tions, and they shall receive free all literature published by the Council, with the exception of the Verbatim Reports of the Annual Meetings." It will be remembered that this resolution has already been acted upon during- the past year, and has been found very helpful to the fun'^s of the Council. 14 It was considered that it would be made still more efficient by adding the following explanatory foot-note : — " It is understood by Article VII, Section 4, that any Local Council, Nationally Organized Society, or Individual Subscriber, sending to the Treasurer of the National Council 125, at one time, over and above the ordinary fees to the Council, may with each sum of that amount, send in a name for Life Membership if approved by the Executive Committee." Subsequently, it was decided that this reading of the above resolution should be regarded as retrospective, and that those Councils which had contributed to the Council Aid Fund during the past year, should be entitled to nominate a life member for each $25.00 thus subscribed. Life Members for Local Councils. " That the following paragraph he added as Section 4, of Article VII of the Constitution, recommended for Local Councils : — ' Any person whose name is accepted by the Executive Committee may become a Life Member of the Local Council on payment of a fee of $15, and mav take part in the proceedings and discussions of the public meetings of the Council, but is not entitled to vote. The names of such Life Members shall be printed immediately after those of the Life Patrons of the Local Council, and they shall be entitled to receive free all ordinary literature published by the Local Council." STANniNG Committees and Sub-Committres. •' That the following clause be added as Clause 5, of Section 1 of the Standing Orders :— ' ' Standing Committees and Sub-Committees may be appointed by the Council or by the Executive as may be found necessary for the efficient carrying on of the business of the Council. Each of such Committees shall appoint a Convener and a Secretary who shall present a report first to the Executive and then +0 the Annual Meeting. The President and Corresponding Secretary shall be ex-ofticio members of all such Committees." Committees of Local Councils. "That the following words be added to Clause 5, of Section 1 of the Standing Orders recommended for the use of Local Councils: — "The President and Corresponding Secretary shall be ex-ofticio members of all such Committees." Will Local Councils who have adopted independent Consti- tutions of their own, consider whether it would be desirable to add the provisions recommended above, regarding Life Membership and advising that the President and Secretary should be ex-officio members of all Committees ? It will be noted that the resolution sent up from Montreal, recommending that the Meeting should be held biennially instead of annuailv, was lost, 86 voting against it, and only 15 in its favour. ^♦' >,. 4A m. 15 The feeling of the great majority of those present indicated a strong opinion that the usefulness of the Council would be largely diminished if they were not kept in full working order by holding an Annual Meeting every year, although, at the same time, it might be well to vary places of meeting more than we have done in the past. As this resolution has now been considered three years in suc- cession, the hope was expressed that it may be considered settled, for a time at any rate. CANADIAN WOMEN'S HANDBOOK FOR PARIS EXHIBITION. Under this head will come the most important National work for women to be undertaken by our National Council, for the com- ing year. It will be remembered that at our last Annual Meeting in 1898, we appointed a Deputation to wait upon the Minister of Agriculture, with the view of pressing upon him the desirability of making ad- equate provision for the reception of Women's Work at the Paris Exhibition. This Deputation was most kindly received, and after con- sideration, Mr. Fisher communicated with Lady Edgar, Acting President, and informed her that the Government had come to the conclusion, that considering the limited space at the command of the Canadian Government, it would be more satisfactory to rep- resent the work and position of the Canadian women by compil- ing a carefully prepared Handbook, which should give information regarding all matters relating to women in Canada. The care and compilation of this Handbook was at the same time offered to the National Council, the Government giving a grant of $S,ooo to cover the expenses involved in preparation, and undertaking to print and publish the book in an attractive form for distribution. The promise was also given that a suitable Rest Room and Bureau of Information should be provided fo*" Canadian women at the Exhibition, and that a Canadian lady, or ladies, should be ap- pointed to superintend this Department. The Acting President and Executive accepted the ofTer of the Dominion Government with much appreciation, feeling it to be a mark of recognition and confidence, and forthwith appointed a Committee of Arrangements to carry out the work. 16 It is not needful for me to y^o into details rej»-Hrding- the plan which has been adopted for org-anizing- this work and preparing the Handbook. Miss Wilson presented a Report on the subject to the Council, which will be included in the Verbatim Report, and in ad- dition to this, Local Councils and various persons of experience have been requested to co-operate with us by giving- answers to papers of questions which have been drawn up for the various sec- tions of the Handbook. I am g-lad to be able to tell you that Mrs. George Drummond has accepted the post of Convener of the Committee of Arrange- ments, which, with the help of her able Lieutenants for the several Sections, is a guarantee that the work will be well executed. I simply therefore give the resolutions which we intend to publish in order : — Resolved : — '• That the National Council of Women of Canada do confirm the agreement entered into on their behalf by the authority of their Executive with the Dominion Government, whereby they undertake to compile and prepare for publication for the Paris Ex- hibition, a Handbook giving information on all matters affecting the position, education, opportunities and work of Women in Canada, the expenses of such compilation and publication being covered by a grant from the Dominion Government. 2. Resolved: — "That the National Council of Women of Canada ap- point the following ladies to act as a Committee of Arrangements, with Mrs. George D'-ummond as Convener, to prepare the Paris Handbook, with power to add to their number, to appoint sub-com- mittees, and to carry out all arrangements for the publication of the book, in co-operation with the Dominion Government : — Mrs. George Drummond, Lady Taylor, Mrs. Boomei-, Mrs. J. Cox, Mrs. J. V. Ellis, Mrs. Edward Griffin. Madame Lamothe, Miss McKay Scott, Madame Thibaudeau, Mrs. Tilton, Mrs. Hoodless, Mrs. Willoughby Cummings, Miss Teresa F. Wilson, the Conven- ers of the Sub-Sections, and the Countess of Aberdeen if required. 3. Resolved: — " That the National Council urge each Local Council to appoint a Committee to gather the necessary information, to answer the official questions sent out by the Corresponding Secre- tary of the Council and to co-operate in every way wiih the Com- mittee of Arrangements for this hard work." 4. Resolved : — " That the National Council of Women of Canada de- sire to convey their hearty thanks and appreciation to tiie Dominion Government for the confidence shown in them by the request con- veyed to them through the Hon. Sydney Fisher, Minister of Agri- culture, to prepare a Canadian Women's Handbook for the Paris Exhibition, and undertake to give their best efforts to carry out the work with credit to the Women of Canada, and that copies of this Resolution be sent to the Prime Minister and to the Hon. Sydney Fisher. Kindlv note the third of these resolutions. W ^ ^ ^ 17 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN. The first afternoon and evening- were g-iven up to reports of the Quinquennial Meeting of the International Council and of the International Congress of Women which was held under its aus- pices. Again I must refer you for information regarding these interest- ing meetings, to our full Verbatim Report, and I think it would be most desirable that every Local Council should set apart one of its meetings, to receive reports on the subject of this International Council, of which it forms a part, and which enables it to come into touch with women workers all over the world. Delightful letters of greeting were read to the Council from the National Council of Great Britain and Ireland and from the National Council of Denmark, along with messages from other Councils. The new President of the National Council of Women of the United States, Mrs. F. H. Gaffney, was present in person, and presented her greetings and took part in our meetings with great charm. My Memorandum, as President of the Interpational Council, to National Councils, will be found in the Report of the first day's proceedings, and in it is given a list of the resolutions passed by the International Council, some of which bear directly on all our National Councils. Our own National Council of Canada took action in regard to several of these resolutions, and I here give you a list of these : — 1. " That the National Council of Women of Canada, in accordance with the recommendations of the International Council, do appoint a Standing Committee of Information, composed of the General Officers and the President or Secretary of every Local Council and Nationally Federated Society, with power to add to its number; and that each Local Council be urged to form a Sub-Committee to collect such information as may be required by the Bureau, and that the Bureau of Information be the Central Office of the National Council, under the Superintendence of the Corresponding Secre- tary." 2. Resolved :— " That this Council appoint Miss Carty to represent them on the Standing Committee of the International Council on International Arbitration." 3. Resolved :— " That the National Council of Women do appoint Mrs. Willoughby Cummings as Member of the International Press Com- mittee." 4. Resolved : — " That the National Council of Women of Canada do appoint Mrs. George Drummond as a Member of the international Committee to consider the nature of the laws concerned with the Domestic relations which exist in all countries." I 18 5. Resolved :— " That the National Council of Women of Canada ap- point Mrs. John MacdouKali as a member of the International Finance Committee." 6. Resolved:—" That in accordance with the recommendations of the International Council, the National Council of Women of Canada do recommend all Local Councils in large cities to enquire into the present conditions surrounding the housing of educated working women, and they further recommend that Mr. Parker's paper as contained in the Transactions, be read at a meeting as a basis of discussion." 7. " That the Canadian National Council of Women do send a notice of motion to the next Executive of the International Council asking them to place on the Agenda for the next Quinquennial Meeting, a resolution asking that the following changes be made in the Con- stitution of the International Council : — 1st—" That to Article 3, Section 4, be added the phrase, ' all such Hon. Vice-Presidents maybe invited to attend the meet- ing of the Executive,' and the phrase 'but shall have no vote.' " 2nd— "That in Article 5, Section 4, the words 'but may not take part in the proceedings without special invitation ' be omitted and replaced by the words, ' and take part in ' be in- serted after ' invited to attend.' " 8. Resolv'ed: — " That a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to our del- gates to the International Council of Women. Their self-sacrifice in the constant discharge of their duties as delegates deserves the gratitude of all the members of this Council, and the splendid way in which they represented Canadian women claims our admiration and thanks." 9. Resolved:— " That the National Council of Women of Canada do cordially invite the International Council of Women to hold its Quinquennial Meetings for the year 1909 in Canada." It was also agreed that a full set of documents published by our National Council should be sent to Dr. Jacobs of Holland, in response to Her request for the same, for inclusion in an exhibit of hers, in connection with the Paris Exhibition. Transactions of the International Congress of Women. All those desiring copies of the Transactions of the Inter- national Congress, should apply to Miss Wilson. The Transac- tions are published in seven volumes, each volume costing $i.oo including postage. Mrs. J. MacDougall generously undertook to present a Set of the Transactions to the Central Office of the National Council, and also another set to the Montreal Council. 1 S> 19 S> WOMKN IN AGRICULTURE. The Public Meeting on " Women in Agriculture" was a most interesting- occasion, and the hope was expressed on all hands that members of our Local Councils might enjoy the help and inspiration of hearing- Professor Robertson's paper read to them, as it contains suggestions which bear on many other relations of life, besides those of women in Agriculture. The other papers by Dr. Mills and Mr. Wolverton were also most interesting^, and the Hon. I^r. Montague's testimony oi' the value of the Council was much appreciated. It was altogether an evening which must have given g^reat pleasure and gratification to our Treasurer, Mrs. Hoodless, who organized it, and who has the subjects treated of so much at heart. At the Executive following 'the Council we discussed many subjects of interest, and I ventured to press on the attention of those present, the fact that many of the resolutions which we have passed, both last year and in former years, have not received sufficient at- tention and that perhaps we are in danger of taking- up too many new subjects, and thereby excluding other lines of work to which we have given our adhesion. As an illustration of these, I would mention the very earnest appeal to us made last year by Mr. Bryce, the Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, regarding the duty in spreading knowledge which will check the spread and ravages of Coiisumption. How this can be done will be found stated in full in the Verbatim Report for 1898, copies of which can still be obtained on application to our Corresponding Secretary, Miss Wilson, 254 Lisgar Street, Ottawa. • 1 he same remark applies to our allusion urging Local Councils to form Boards of Associated Charities wherever possible ; to do all in their power to protect Bird and Animal Life from useless destruction in the interests of fashion ; to promote co-operation between Parents and Teachers, so that the training of the young may thereby grow in unity and harmony ; and to encourage training in Technical Design for the purpose of Industrial Art and Manufacture. With reference to this last subject, I desire to remind Local Councils that the generous oflTer made by the Watson F"oster Com- I 20 paiiy ot" Montreal, to ^"-iN e $100.00 to be applied in priices tor desij^ns tor wall papers, still remains open.* The conditions under which this otVer was made will be sent as a separate Memorandum to each of our Local Councils and National Societies by Miss Wilson, and it must be remembered that the desij^ns must not only be j^^ood art but also be capable of application to the particular fabric for which the desij^'ii is intended. The Watson Foster Company were i^ood enou^>'h to undertake to criticise such desij^ns as mij4"ht be sent in, which would be of j^reat value to students, apart from any prize they mij^'ht j^ain. I am asking;- Miss Wilson to send out with the Memorandum of this year, some copies of last year's Memorandum, in order to refresh the memories of those who would like to look a^ain at the record of work we then recommended. DKSIGNS FOR LIFK MEMBERSHIP CARD. As only two desig-ns for the i:ard or certificate of Life Mem- bership were sent, it was decided to extend the time during which competition for these might be forwarded to the Corresponding- Secretary, till April, 1900. PLACE OF NEXT ANNUAL MEETING. Two very cordial invitations were received for the Annual Meeting next year, from the Local Councils o( St. John, New Brunswick, and from Victoria, British Columbia. After some discussion and much appreciation having been ex- pressed of the merits and attractions of both cities referred to, the St, John Local Council gracefully withdrew their invitation in favor of V^ictoria, this beings the second year in which the invitation from Victoria had been received. A large number of delegates expressed their intention of at- tending the Meeting at Victoria, and the date of the Meeting was to be left in the hands of the Victoria Council, it being understood that it should take place some time during the Fall. * A letter has since been received from the Watson Foster Company, statins that the Company have for some time past been Kivin^ prizes for wall paper designs in other directions and are not therefore inclined to do anything further. I 21 NOTICES OF MOTION. The following- notices of motion were given tor next Meeting : 1. Resolved:— " That at the next Annual Meeting a Sectional Con- ference on Associated Charities be provided for in the Agenda." Moved by by Mrs. Mechao, seconded by Mrs. Wheliin. 2. Notice was given by Mrs. John Macdougall that at the next Annual Meeting she will move that the Provincial Governments be requested to change the name of Asylums for the Insane, to Hospitals for the Insane." 3. " That the Constitution be amended so as to include the following as Section 2, Article 111 :— ' The First President of the Council shall be Advisory President for life with a vote on the Executive.' " Moved by Mrs. Cummings, seconded by Mrs. Reid. Th^ ' -A notice of Motion brings me to mention the last piece of business with which I need trouble you, and this business is by no means the least important, as it relates to the Election of the Officers for the coming year. The Officers elected are as follows : — PRESIDENT. Lady Taylor. ELECTED VICE-PRESIDENTS. Lady Laurier. Lady Thompson. PROVINCIAL VICE-PRESIDENTS. Ontario Mrs. Boomer. Quebec Madame Thibaudeau. Nova Scotia Mrs. R. L. Borden. New Brunswick Lady Tilley. Manitoba Mrs. McEwan. Assiniboia Mrs. N. F. Davin. Alberta Mrs. Lougheed. British Columbia Miss Perrin. Prince Edward Island Lady Davies. Corresponding Secretary Miss T. F. Wilson. Recording Secretary .Mrs. Willoughby Cummings. Treasurer Mrs. Hoodless. 22 The followiii}^ resolutions in connection with the election of Officers were also passed : — "That in carrying into effect tlie resolution passed at Halifax, ap- pointing the Countess of Aberdeen on her retirement from the Presi- dency, to he Past President with a vote on the Executive Commit- tee, it shall be amended by the substitution of the word 'Advisory' for the word ' Past' President, and that her name be printed after that of the President on the list of Ofti.-ers " " Resolved that the following ladies residing in Ottawa be a Com- mittee to wait upon Her Excellency the Countess of Minto after her return from England to ask her to be Honorary President of the National Council, namely. Lady Laurier, Lady Ritchie, Mrs. Hamil- ton, Mrs. Hutton, Mrs. Edward Grifiin and Miss Wilson." I think that all the members of the National Council are aware of the stroni.j opinion which I have held for a lon<;- time and which I have expressed several times, that the President of the National Council of Women of Canada should be a Canadian woman living in Canada, and one who has had personal exper- ience of Council work. Our Council is too real an org-anization to have as President one who can occupy this office in name only, and it is with i^reat reluctance that I have continued to fill the post since my departure from Canada pending- the selection of my successor. We are deeply indebted to Lady Edg^ar for .• .^ interest and personal work she devoted to the Council whilst serving as Acting" President, and we had hoped to see her accept the place of Presi- dent at this Annual Meeting;". Sir James Edg"ar's lamented death has made this impossible. W^e can but tender her our respectful and heartfelt sympathy and our s^rateful thanks, and at the same time cherish the hope that she will keep in touch with us. It was with deep ret^ret that we received the intimation that Mrs. Geori,^^ Drummonu, of Montreal, was unable to accept the nomination tor the Presidency on account of uncertain health. Hut when Lady Taylor, wife of Sir Thomas Taylor, C hief Justice of Manitoba, was induced, after stronj>" persuasion, to re- consider her refusal to be ncMiiinated, I felt that our difficulties were solved. To our g-reat loss Lady Taylor has hitherto been prevented from attending;' the Annual Meetinj^'s, much to her own rej.Vret, but she has been intimately connected with the Winnipes^' Local Council ever since its formation, and as its President, steered it with i4"reat wisdom throui^h more than one difficult crisis. Her association with many other philanthropic movements has also *fiven her experience of a kind which peculiarly fits her for the post to which she has now been elected, and her persoi:al touch with both the West and ♦^he Ivast will enalile her to be that link 4 I 1 t i wmmmm 23 between women workers of different parts of the Dominion, which is so greatly to be desired in our President. Personally, 1 feel that we owe Lady Taylor a deep debt of g-ratitude for her public spirit in accepting- the burden which we ha,^ laid upon her, and it was with infinite gratification that I saw how entirely she had gained the confidence of the Council before we separated at Hamilton. I venture to predict for her a very prosperous Presidency and I know from experience that it cannot fail to be a happy one, being associated as she will be with fellow-workers so tried and true and earnest as those with whom it has been my privilege to co-operate for the past six years. 1 have tried" on previous occasions to express my gratitude to the Council and to all its Members. But it is a hopless task. It has been a deep and happy experience for me which must greatly enrich all my life. The remembrance of the wonderful and under- standing kindness and friendship manifested to me at our Annual Meeting at Hamilton and the messages which reached me from the Local Councils, will ever abide with me. I am much touched by the determination shown by the Council to asociate me permanently with itself as one of its Ofiicers and a member of its Executive. I am afraid I cannot be of much practical use, but I need scarcely say that it will ever be a proud pleasure for me to serve the Council in any way possible at a distance. It was with most sincere delight that I heard of the interest shown by Her Excellency the Countess of Minto in the Council, and I hope with all my heart that Her Excellency will be able to see her way to accept the inxitation to be conveyed to her by the deputation we have appointed to place herself at the head oi' our organization as Hon. President. If this most desirable end can be attained, I think we can con- sider the National Council of Women oi' Canada fully organized, not forgetting the establishment of the Central Office and the ap- pointment of Miss T. F. Wilson as Secretary. Mv friends, may God be with you and may His blessing rest upon all your efforts to build up that of which we have together laid the foundation with the desire o\' thereby serving our God and our couiitr\'. Believe me to remain, Ever your very grateful and attached friend, ISHHEL ABERDEEN. P.S. — Those interested in the progress ol' the Victorian Order and the Aberdeen Association, will be glad to hear of the excellent reports presented at the Sectional Conferences held by these Societies. 1