19-21.] 



Federation of Women's Institutes. 



515 



therefore arranged and managed by the Handicrafts Committee 

 last year. The training was of course very elementary, but a 

 beginning was made, and this year it is proposed to hold more 

 advanced classes. Before qualifying as Instructor'^, the students, 

 after six months in which to practice, had to enter their work 

 for the Dorset Arts and Crafts Exhibition and obtain the Associa- 

 tion's Green Star of Merit; thereafter they could be placed on 

 the county's list of qualified teachers. There are in the county 

 what may safely be described as three real industries run by 

 tliree different Institutes which make and supply articles either 

 i\'tail or for large orders — soft toys, dolls, and sun-bonnets. 

 Many other industries are coming on well, but do not yet turn 

 out their products in large numbers. 



The Hants and Dorset Stall at the Eoyal Counties Sliov; at 

 Bournemouth reahsed I.'140 for the 27 Women's Institutes that 

 contributed 1,I'27 exhibits from our county. Those who were 

 in charge of the stall testify to its value as propaganda for the 

 movement, many enquiries having been made and information 

 given, so that it is hoped to hear soon of still more villages 

 wanting Institutes. This would mean that our Organisation 

 Committee would be overwhelmed with w^ork ; this committee not 

 only starts an Institute but until the Institute is strong — usually 

 for some three or four months — provides speakers on Institute 

 work so that it may be thoroughly clear on all points. It is 

 onlv when an Institute has been thoroughly well stai'ted that it 

 can be expected to do well, and to thoroughness we owe the fact 

 th it we have a strong Federation in Dorset, all Institutes, since 

 tli,^ formation of the Organisation Committee, ha^ inu been well 

 grounded before becoming federated. 



The Federation Council — one Delegate from each Women's 

 Institute — meets twice yearly, in the winter for the business 

 meeting when the year's Executive is elected, and in the summer, 

 when a speaker on some such subject as the drama, nmsic, or 

 handicrafts, visits us. and some of our Institutes give exhibitions 

 of folk dancing, singing, and other forms of entertainment. 



Betw^een these gatherings, group meetings are held : there are 

 four Groups in the countv and much useful work is done through 

 them. Any member of a Women's Institute may attend, and 

 the meetings help to give an example of the value of co-operation 

 and to keep the Institutes from becoming parochial. At thon\ 

 the members arrange for such things as a joint pageant, or a 

 speaker's toui\ and as the numbers attending ai-e naturally 

 smaller than at the County Federation meetings, miu h informal 



