1920.] National Federation of Women's Institutes. 



861 



system had reigiied for many years, but the new workers were 

 full of the enthusiasm of past success. It was theirs to awake 

 the feeling of sisterhood and partnership amongst women of all 

 classes, by the living bond of communicated knowledge and 

 shared technical interests — a re-awakening in fact of the ideals 

 of the mediaeval guilds of craftsmanship. Those who had toiled 

 for years in remote villages now realised how far-reaching was 

 the result of the scheme. 



Whilst the movement was still in its infancy the Ministry of 

 Agriculture (in October, 1917) decided that its organisation 

 belonged rather to the Women's Branch of the Ministry than to 

 the Agricultural Organisation Society, and action was taken 

 accordingly. This was done for emergency purposes and for a 

 better centralisation of the work of food production in which the 

 Federation played so important a part. During this connection 

 of two years, the work made rapid growth, the number of 

 Institutes increasing from 130 to 1,100. 



In April. 1919. however, when the Women's Branch as a War 

 Department was no longer required, it was decided to leave to 

 the Federation its full self-governing powers, with responsibility 

 for its own propaganda and after-care. It was realised that 

 there would be greater elasticity and scope for originality on the 

 part of County Federations than could be enjoyed under a Gov- 

 ernment Department in normal times. Nevertheless, the 

 promise was conveyed by Dame Meriel Talbot as Delegate of the 

 Ministry to the Meeting of Representatives of the Women's Insti- 

 tutes in April. 1919. that the Federation was by no manner of 

 means to consider itself as cut off from Government support and 

 Government interest, but that on the contrary every assistance 

 would be given in future in expert ad\dce fa very valuable asset), 

 in the Ministry's Schools for Institute Organisers, and in the 

 recommendation at the time of a grant from the Development 

 Commission. Since that time the Federation has been in the 

 position of a self-governing voluntary institution. ^\-ith full powers 

 to adapt its methods to the individual needs of the district it 

 serves, but with a strong background of Government interest and 

 support. x\s such it started on its work anew. 



The fortnight's "Schools" for Organisers were a fulfilment of 

 the Ministry's promise, and as the lecturers were University 

 experts whose ser^-ices had been engaged by the Ministry, a 

 threefold interest has been created owing to the fact that it 

 formed a Unk between a Government Department, the University 

 and a Voluntary Organisation. 



