Correspondence

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 89, 12 October 1893, Page 2

Correspondence

SOCIAL PECULIARITY OP FEILDING. TO THB EDITOR OF THE STAR. I Sir, — My interest in young people generally, especially " strangers in a strange land," is so deep that I cannot refrain from soliciting your kind in- [ sertion of inclosed, trusting it may. prove an incentive to those who prob- : ably desire to show themselves friendly, but have not set about it from sheer " inertia." Time with me is probably very limited in New Zealand, and pressure of journalistic work is on me. This is my apology for sending you only the outcome of thoughts, so to speak, on the subject of " Social Peculiarity of Feilding." J On the occasion of a visit to England some few years since, I was the guest of a family residing in a small country parish, situated in one of those lovely neighborhoods which the poet describes as " Sweet Auburn— lovliest * of the plain !" But, alas ! For the young men and women, many of whom were as " strangers within the gates," and experiencing the isolation your correspondents well describe. Being a Canadian, the contrast to' our sociallife painfully jarred. I assure you, Mr Editor, I am writing the truth (for I always endeavour to keep my pen pure) when I say that the current sentiment which pervades our people is to help all, and any who are down and struggling, to rise ; and the man who works for his living stands higher in moral esteem than one who lives on inherited means. I felt it incumbent on me ere I quitted that town, to use every endeavour for a better state of things— and in these, I wa9 most kindly assisted by our hosts and the resident Vicar. Certainly there were the " stand off" folks, expressing their conviction that the social amusements we proposed, as profitable and pleasant alternative to the public house, ill-assorted companions, etc., would prove inevitable failures— and few at first yielded to our intreaty— -viz., to invite cordially, and free from the yrutege style (rather common in English society), these lonely workers to their homes. As unobtrusively as possible it was suggested that the Vicar should first invite the young folks of both sexes, with - some influential families of ihe town, M.D's, solicitors, etc., etc., and after a social ' tea and talk,' a lew remarks by myself on " Canadian hospitality " and the subjects of " Sympathy," " Rosary of i hearts," " Broken lines," given in homely i fashion, aroused the genial characteristics . of those who had been permitting them \ to lie all too dormant, but who were ready to emulate the ''example which is ever better than theory," and right , away there sprung up the kindness, ; sympathy, and refinement, essentially valued by the lonely ones of our great cities and smaller communities, and these pleasing phases remain to this day. , Some " goody .goody " people seem to , think that sympathy and pbilanthropby '. are only for outcasts of society, and the slums, forgetting that many of the fine characters around our circle, may be , stranded for lade of the touch of love \ and the "charity which thiuketh no evil." ' Oh ! let us women exercise kindly, good, influence over the young men and women ' —holding them in love's sublime control \ —making bright spots in the clouded sky of life, with which all have to battle more or less. We know that there are young men (some noble ones too) who have erred, and may be still are in fault, and to be seen in nnedifying places and company. What then is the duty of us mothers and wives ? The answer is plain,— make ourselves the i valued friend of such by saving them from the pain and remorse which doubtless haunt them for their faults— and if we reflect on the qualities in which they excel, and we come short, there will be far less of " carping spirit " and " click* mess," (as your correspondent aptly expresses) amongst us. Most natures are so human, as to harden through continual reproaches and coldness, so let us be patient and peace-making, even if we deem a few of our young folks breakers of " the laws of good-breeding ; " tender* ness will elevate, and lift them above the desire for the " low things of earth," and the " golden mean " take the rightful place in their characters. In closing nay letter, let me assure my readers how sincerely I trust that the barriers between Feilding -" sets," and ihe single young men and women there, will be broken down without reserve, and that hearts and homes alike will be thrown open for mutual comfort and engagement, for it goes without saying those who live to shed joy on others, thus best secure their own happiness — and the choicest -blessings of life. I am, etc., Caroline B. AnnirlanA fWnlimi Q IRQR