THE BEGINNING OF THE U.F.O. 51 



The third annual convention was held in St. 

 James' Parish Hall, beginning on February 28th, 

 1917. The movement by this time had grown* 

 immensely, numbering some two hundred clubs 

 and eight thousand members. Enthusiasm 

 marked the gathering. The discussions were 

 of a high order, and a spirit of determination to 

 make the movement succeed was manifest 

 everywhere. The reports of the delegates show- 

 ed that throughout the Province the local or- 

 ganizations were beginning to function in the 

 education of the rural public on questions of 

 national and provincial moment. The clubs 

 were undertaking with vigor that work which 

 they have so successfully prosecuted since then, 

 and the membership throughout the country was 

 taking a keen and intelligent interest in public 

 questions. Significant of this fact, as reflected 

 in the convention, was the appointment of a 

 legislative committee to keep track of legislation 

 proposed or needed, in the Dominion or the 

 Province, and to take such action as might be 

 found necessary. At a directors' meeting in 

 September of this year, 1917, the question of 

 establishing an official organ for the movement 

 was taken up. This question had been discussed 

 many times previously, but it had not been 

 thought that the organization was strong enough 

 to support a paper. At this meeting, however, a 



