IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 (' I.I 1.25 liiiiiM Ilia 'f IM 1112.2 1^ 12.0 U III 1.6 % <^ /a /a d3 % ¥^'w ^4 ^ o 7 Photographic Sdences Corporation ^ iV ^ <> ^9) V 6^ ^9) V 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiquss 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D D D D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture dn couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaur6e et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ D Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relid avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge int^rieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmSes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur n Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes r~y[ Pages restored and/or laminated/ I i/l Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ D Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire I I Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ |~~| Includes supplementary material/ I — I Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film6es d nouveau de faqon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. R7f 10X This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada L'exemplaire filmd fut reproduit grdce d la g6ndrosit6 de: Bibliothdque nationale du Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending ou the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^- (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de f'exemplaire filmd, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont film6s en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seui clichd, il est filmd A partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le no. ':bre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 S 4 5 6. .'f- *' {^ ■^ I PRESIDENT'S CLOSING ADDRESS AT 7IIE- FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA. Your Excellency, Members of the National Council, Ladies and Gentlemen- Li old days in Scotland when it was the custom to have the half-yearly preachings, as they were called, including- services from Thursday morning to Monday evening, almost without intermission, it was the duty of the minister who preached last on Monday evening to " perlicue." It is a strange word and its derivation is uncertain, but is said to be a corruption of the French words " par la queue," and what it meant was that the minister had to gather up the principal thoughts dwelt upon by the several preachers and to weave all into a connected whole- Now, I suppose that is the ideal for the closing address of such a conference as that which this meeting brings to an end. And I suppose that on this occasion I might be expected to go further and to give a resume of the history of the Council for the past five years of its existence. I feel the mere suggestion is inspiring terror into the hearts of my audience, but do not be afraid, I am not going to carry it out, it would, however, be a useful piece of work to have such a history written, and as I like to get my work done ;for me, I am going to offer two prizes for the two best essays I- .A~^ ■I "H'l |li! .,» ' •nWMMMMUlMt^iliHM^ UHlli on the history and work of the Council since its institution, and two other prizes i'or the two best essays on the aims and future ideals for the Council These prizes are open to all who care to compete for them, but, of course, are especially offered to the members of the Council, who have the best opportunity of understanding the subject- I should like these essays to be sent in to me at Government House by October lirst, and I am hopeful that the successful papers may prove of great assist- ance to our Councils and to our workers generally. They will have plenty of material to deal with in the past achievements of the Council, both from National and Local points of view. Let me give a rough outline of these for the benefit of those here who are unacquainted with our work and who have ai:f idea that we only meet together to talk. Manual ^' ^^ obtained the introduction of Manual Training and lyaininf/in the instruction in Domestic Science in the public schools of Ontario, and the training of teachers so that they may be able to give instruction in these arts. It has also given an emphasis to the same movement in other provinces. Wcmrn Fac- 2- It has obtained the appointment of Women Factory / Aiuiiud and Bird Life. Women Imn.iyranfx Chf-d- of t^pread ■ i I '- P<>'a('on * oj 1 onng work that I have not had time to lay before you a few sugges- (UrU. tions which perhaps you may be willing to consider for adoption in your future work, and I hope the present is not an unsuitable time for alluding to them- And first (1) I wish w^e could plan some scheme whereby we could interest and secure the cooperation of our young girls in Council work Many of them do help splendidly already, and this week w^e are under deep obligation to many of the young ladies who have.wciked for us iii a hundred and one ways — both as attendants at the meeting, in helping in the luncheon arrangements, and so on- But w^hat I iiiean is that we have yummtma^MMtttaimimimimiM «6 UnderlyliKj Prinoples. not specially brought planned subjects with the object oi interesting" and helping girl workers. The Young Ladies' Meeting held in connection with the English National Council have always been a special feature of interest Here, for instance, are a few subjects on which ^ they have had papers and discussions ; Self Development. Ethics of Home Life. < What Girls living at home and in Society can do for others. » The Morals of Money Spending. The Student Life of Women. Women's University Settlements. Girls have an exceptional influence in this country, ''id any national movement of this description should make especial efforts to enlist their sympathy and active co operation whilst they are still girls. AVe older women look to the young, earnest, eager life and thought of the girls who have enjoyed such far greater advantages than ourselves in education and training than ever fell to our lot with hope and confidence. They have it in their power to carry on this work, which is but in its infancy, to a grand future of national usefulness, and we can even now help to prepare them for their mission. But if we are to have them we must win them» must make provision for them, make them feel that they are considered, that their assistance will be valued, and that they will find a place for the development of their aspirations, (2) Again, we have always been so busy with discussing actual work that we have never had time to set aside for talking over the deep principles which underlie all work and make it fruitful. Again., let me take a few headings of papers read before the English Couhcil on these topics : «• t » • » St^ronity. Possiblo deterioration of the worker. How best to.conduot the work of Philanthropic Com- mittees and the sphere in which such work should be done. The Pain of the worhV~and how to face it. Power in work. Might we not introduce some such subject in the pro. grammes of both our National and Local Councils with profit and thus deepen and spiritualize both our work and our relation to each other- (3) Again, can we not do something to induce systematic Si/^ti'mntir reading on various subjects connected with our work amongst *" "'^* our members -education in its various branches. Sanitation, Art, Poor Relief, and so on, so that we may have an ever increasing number of those who can speak with authority. 1 think that we may thankfully note an advance in our methods in this direction, and that our members are beginning to understand that the mere passing of a law does not mean its necessary enforcement, and that our legislators can only really make effectual what the people want. In all the reforms we desire our first care then should be to work for the quickening of the public and the individual conscience, to make it fulfil all the obligations imposed upon it and take advantage of all the privileges granted by the present law, and then when this is done and the law is still found lacking, be sure that you will speedily obtain the le.f^islation desired, for it will be demanded by people who leel the need for it and who mean to see it carried out. What we need above all is to build on broad and strong foundations and to develop in our workers thoroughness, so that they may Tfiorou'j/me.ts always be able to give a reason for the faith that is in them, that they may be able to see both sides of a question, and that they should be anxious to bring about reforms more by ripening public opinion in the right direction, and by the ■UMI Jn/jrmndon Jiureriu. Paid Secret an/ 8 * increase of personal responsi])ility, than ' y urging for legisla- tion on all sorts ol' subjects about which there is no popuhir >iense of need. (4) I trust that before long you may have established amongst you an Intormation J5uroiiu on all matters connected with "Women in Canada--their education, position, opj)ortuni- lies, achievements -an Information Bureau such as our Council has recommended tlie International Council of AVomen to initiate in all oilier countries. Having made ourselves responsible for the suggestion, we are, of course, bound to carry it out ourselves, and I think it would be comparatively |,„.easy if you would decide to maintain a Central OfUce, and the eilicient paid Secretary ; whom I venture to strongly urge you to consider u necessity, for the riglit carrying on of your work. Such a Secretary should not only be able to carry on the routine work of the Council, which is very heavy at some times of the year, but would collect statistics on the various phases of lite w^th which we have to deal, and would be pre- pared to help in the organizatian of new Councils and the development of old ones. Co-operation oj Worl'inij iVomeii. (5) Again, let me urge upon you the importance of obtain ing some actual representatives of women engaged in business and of the Working Women on our Council— representatives irom working girls' Clubs, Unions, and so on. This would be an . immense benefit to us and would greatly increase the reality of our national character. It has not been so much our fault as our misfortune that we have not had such representa itive working women with us. There would seem at present to be practically no organizations or Clubs or Benefit Societies amongst them, and as our Council is a Federation of Societies, we cannot include taem otherwise. I trust, however, that this may soon be remedied, as their accession would be a great strength to us, and they would teach iis so much on various subj«^ct3 which hitherto we have had to discuss very much in the dark for lack of their help and counsel and friendship. 1) ('») Wo have already ilisfussod the paraiiioiiiit necessity ol' /'.«'"'•«'* «ecuriiig and retaining the interest of (he Federated Societies. Son.tus They must not ))e allowed to look upon the Loeal Couneil to which they belong" as somethins: outside themselves, and with whose business they have little or nothing to do ; they must be brought to feel that to be in touch with it is a necessity to them, that through it they can brinu' their own needs before a large public and promote their own work, and that at the same time its enlarging inJluence on their workers is helpliU to a larger conception of their work. What is needed in all these directions is not .onlv earnestness and enthusiasm, but good organization aiul good leadership And the fact that our Local Councils have nourished they have done point to the possession of these qualities by Canadian women to a very liigh degree- Sometimes people are foolish enough to suggest that this i!>'uliaH^ for Council will not continue to ilourish as it has done. Such ^"""■'"'!'' remarks show that those who make them know but little of either the history or the constitution of the Council. One of the reasons w^hy the Council has grown and developed as it has done is because it has met the desire which exists every- where for Leadership— wise Leadership It has proved a centre in every place round which workers can rally for common work — everything is ready for the emergency when it arises. Take one instance— last year Canada was shocked one Monday by hearing that the town of Windsor, in Nova Scotia, had been totally destroyed by fire and that thousands of its in- habitants were homeless. Next day it learnt that in addition to tL3 measur'^s being taken by Provincial and other authori- ties for the relief of the sufferers, that a number of ladies from New Brunswick were already on the spot with supplies of food and clothing. Why were they there ? Just because the President of the Local Council of St. John, Lady Tilley. whom we rejoice to see amongst us, summoned the Local Council immediately she heard the sad new^s. The Local y mm Co-opt.inticu of PuUic Mtn i 10 Council, representing, as it does, every class and all sections of so iety, were ready for the emergency, knew at once where to turn for help, and by the cooperation of the railway authorities were able to be on the spot with assistance within a lew hours. They were joined within a day by the Halifax Council, who were able to take like prompt measures and to whom was entrusted a sum of public money by the Muni( ipal authorities for purposes of relief. I think that illustration gives a very fair example of the position that the Council should hold towards various public bodies. It does not seek to identify itself with any contro- A^ersial propaganda. By its central principle it is forbidden so to do, inasmuch as it seeks to unite all who are seeking, according to the light given them, to \a k for the welfare of the world in whatsoever direction, and it may often unite those who think they are working for exactly opposite ends — for Women Suffrage and against it — for Prohibition and against it — it, therefore, cannot be sectional or denominational and cannot be looked upon with suspicion. If, therefore, our public men, whether in the Dominion Parliament or Provincial Legislature, or on Municipal or other Boards, have to make enquiries and take up a policy which affects women and children, will they remember that there is an organised body of voluntary women workers who are ready to give their loyal and ready help to any object which will help forward the common good, and from whom the opinion of the w^omen of the country, not of one section only but of all, can be asceri ained. I go back, however, to that question of the need of Leader- ship. Let us recognize this and let our leaders lead — There must be definite plans, and definite organization, but then comes in the beauty of our organization — The leaders and the led have every opportunity for the fullest possible mutual understanding of the plans of campaign to be adopted. 1. Definite leadership. 9 Constitutional methods, and approval and cooper- tion of ail obtained. 11 I I In an organization snch as ours where the component ^^eSi^'!'^ sections are so scattered and able to meet but rarely — where there are so many different ideas and objects and methods of work represeiited, there must of necessity be some on whom must devolve the duties oi initiating a policy and of laying dovA'n the lines necessary for common action- There must be some to sit on our w^atch towers and who, commanding a wide outlo'jk, can warn us of danger ahead and of work to be done. And our generals and headquarters staff must then show themselves leaders who have realized their responsibi- lities, who have mastered the features of the country to be occupied, who know what resources they have at their com- mand, and who are able to put them to the best advantage, and who from their own earnestness, thoroughness and enthusiasm, are able to inspire our whole army, and every regiment of it with confidence. But unlike most military commanders, our officers have Exsetuially ,,,,,T,-.. Womanly the great advantage of being able to take all their soldiers into thoir confidence, and to have the advantage of advice and criticism from all. Every course of action adopted by our National Council has previously been twice subjected to the consideration of our Local Councils and National Societies, ^ who can suggest any amendment or alteration they desire, and who should be able to send delegates thoroughly conver- ,sant wuth our work. Thus we are most democratic in our constitution, giving an opening to the humblest and youngest member of Council to take her share in the moulding of our policy- But like all , democracies the Will of our Council can only oecome truly effective for the best good of the country through wise and inspired lieadership. And that we have ample material for leaders every Local Council bears eloquent testimony. Taking our work as a whole we have been extraordinarily blessed in the choice of our first leaders They have mostly been women of the world not strongly attached to any one form o" work 12 Farewell. but ill sympathy with the whole onvvaid movement- wise, tolerant and tactful, but able to take a strong stand when required I can assure the Presidents and Officers of the Local Councils and National Societies that the President of the National Council feels very deeply theoblig-ations undjr which she and the whole Council are to these pioneers- But I would also take this opportunity of urging- very strongly on all our Local Officers the d'lty and necessitv of leaduig Professor Henry Drummond and to say that nine hundredand ni.iet^-nine peopleout of every thousand could not put themselves to work — the thousandth must do it for them. And that is one of the duties of our leaders— they must allow no waste of work or of workers which can be avoided Every community, however small, looks for its leader, and is effective and happy only when it finds him or her. And I am sure that one of the greatest reasons for the success and the growth of our Council is that our women workers in our various centres have found their leaders and are realizing their mission. This means, then, a considerable amount of steady work and self sacrifice on the part of those w^ho join our Committees, and become their Officers Yes, it does, if it is to hi well done ; but when once the patriotic and far-reaching effects of the Council are understood, and also its power for good on all the Local Councils and the members who federate with it, is it too much to hope that there will be found women who will be willing to give up their own particular society or institution for a year or two in turn to devote themselves to this even larger service. And now^ I come t9^a word which I would fain avoid— for to many of you I must say "Farewell" To say farewell at any time, without emotion, one must be more or less than human. But you, my friends, have meant so much in my life in Canada, and not only to mine but to His Excellency, too, if I may whisper a secret. I have often told you of the difference it has made to us that we should through you be able to be in constant touch with every part of the Dominion, with the- feeling's, aspirations and best efforts of the various Committees- from East to West. This has enormously added to the interest and to the many sideduess of our lite here, and also to our ability frcm time to time to try to be of some use in these various places- But apart from this, how con I ever express to you my gratitude for the confidence, the loyalty, the friendship, which you have showered upon me, and which mus.t ever fill the memories of my Canadian life witii richness and beauty. Our common aim, our common work, has forged strong links, and to realize that from henceforth our life's work must lie in. different spheres, remote one from the other, gives a wrench which should not cume too often in life- But hard as that wrench may be, it cannot burst the bonds- wbich unite us. For what has been the basis of our associa- tion and friendship ? May w^e not feel that it has been simply the service of God through the iservice of our fellows- Has it not been that, according to our means and opportunity we have desired to strive alte]:the highest ideal for ourselves, our homes and our country. If this be so, nothing can separate us. Unity of Aim is the basis of all Unity, and may we not pledge ourselves, one to the other, that we may never cease to strive after the glorious aim which has united us— and so nothing in the world can ever separate us, and maybe the separation of space may but serve to increase the unity of spirit, which is the only thing that matters- May I leave a new^ motto with you to night in token of the unspoken compact which we v^'ill make, not to fail one another. It is contained in one word— ALTIOR.