3921.] Federation of Women's Isstitmes. 



543 



THE WORKING OF A FEDERATION 

 OF WOMEN'S INSTITUTES: DORSET. 



Benita i.AUY Lees. 



Women's Institutes were started in three Dorset villages in 

 the hitter part of 1915, their formation then being more with tlie 

 object, in a temporary way, of increasing the food supph , than 

 of giving hfe to a far-reaching movement. 



The amount of progress made through the Dorset Wouien's 

 Institutes in home industries and generahy in increasing know- 

 ledge affecting the home, garden, and field, has been far greater 

 than was ever the case in any five years before the introduction 

 01 this movement into the country. Further developments may 

 be anticipated, which should ultimately lead both to an improved 

 rural education and to a higher efficiency among all count. y 

 v.omen. The simplicity of the movement at once appeals to 

 all. and its stabihty is assured, its foundations being centred 

 in the home — the national training ground for good citizenship. 

 The three Institutes started in 1915 were for nearly two years 

 the only ones in the county, but towards the middle of 1917 

 the Dorset Women's War Agricultural CommiUee undertook 

 propaganda work, with the result that 18 further Institutes came 

 into existence. Shortly afterwards a County Federation was 

 formed. It is consoling to look back to the early days of the 

 P'ederation and to know that in place of total ignorance of organi- 

 sation on the part of the inexperienced officers, there is now a 

 certain amount of order and system, and that the Institutes of 

 to-day are out of all comparison better provided for and are 

 working in closer co-operation than was the case in 1917. 



A few details of the Dorset Organisation may be of interest, 

 even if they be regarded merely as a milestone to show progress 

 and how far of¥ the goal still is. Among the members of the first 

 r'ederation Committee were an *' Organiser of Speakers " and 

 an " Organiser of Industries " : the former of these offices still 

 exists. A register of all local speakers and demonstrators is 

 kept, and tours are arranged in connection with special subjects. 



The office of Organiser of Industries soon had to be merged into a 

 sub-connnittee having its own secretary, and excellent work has 

 been done. The county is fortunate in having a flourishing and well- 

 run Arts and Crafts Association, and its Secretary gives valuable 

 assistance on the Handicrafts Sub-Co!nmitt(M^ of tlie Federation. 

 The change in the titlo of this branch from Industries " to 



