LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 6, 28 June 1928, Page 6

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

'-'■■■ - -:■■■'. .'.:-::-:,^ > :-..,:;.V' r .;-. ' ■ The local branch of the League of 'Mothers—displayed great Yvhen. they held, their first1' combined meeting, last Thursday evenings la -spite of the inclement -weather there was an attendance of fully 200, comprising members arid their husbands. Mrs H.,, W. Kersley, the President,, after opening with a short pi'ayer,. welcomed the visitors and Mr Havelock Cornish, the speaker, of the evening. Mrs Kersley described the gathering as "unique" and spoke of the wonderful, growth of the League. From a verw small, beginning,, a. couple of years ago, they had expanded until they had. now fifteen, branches throughout the. province, all doing, very valuable work in giving instruction ia home craft and in. the training of children in the home. The Mayor (Mr W. T. Strand)., ia thanking, the President for the privilege of being present, paid tribute to Her Excellency, Lady Alice Ferguson, who had. been responsible for the formation, of. the League of Mothers in this country..-." Home life is the true foundation of the British Empire," , said Mr. Strand and he "was pleased the Hutt had acted up to the slogan of the late Mr Soddon when he raised the cry of ''keep the cradles fulL"

'Mr Haveloek Cornish delivered a most interesting address on '' The Home—the centre of perfect citizenship. '' He dealt withhis subject in a practical and breezy manner, pointing out that many parents- did not fully realize the possibilities of home life, and. he even went so far as to suggest that; homes might with advantage be ran on busoitess lines. If. for instance, parents conferences were held what interesting remits they might j>roduee. What a great field for investigation might be found in such a subject as '' child lying,'' and in many other faults that the child is heir to. One occasionally hears of a parent who has reared a large and exemplary family. If such a person could be induced to

tell others liow he succeeded, it would make a niost interesting subject. Unfortunately there was a strong tendeuey for men to look upon the business of the home as the woman's job only, whereas the influence of the father was as necessary as that of the mother. Men should realize the paramount importance of the home.

The sense of justice and of fair play were regarded y the lecturer as the highest attributes to good citizenship. The responsibility of inculcating these qualities were too frequently left tocare of the clergyman and of the school teaeherj

Courage and independence of character and a sense of duty were absolutely essential to good citizenship and the child without self-reliance was not worth his salt in the speaker's opinioa. The child's life was moulded on the model of his parents; hence the great responsibility of all fathers to appear just and upright before their childre».

Mr Havelock Cornish gave some instances that had come under his personal observation of fathers who failed to realize their responsibility as fathers. In one ease the parent was regarded by his friends at the club as .one of the best, and was particularly successful in his profession. In opposition to this, the ease of a man was cited, who, whilst his home life was exemplary and the training of his children faultless, as a business man. he was an utter failure. In both of these cases the home influence of the father was reflected on his children in exact ratio to their early trainiag. These were a few of' the problems which arose in regard to the raising of good citizens. In conclusion ~Mr "~ Cornish~""spolL« feelingly of the great Teward which. came to those parents who had the satisfaction of seeing their children, taking their place in the world as successful men and women. During the evening .recitations were '1 given by Mrs Chisholm. and songs by Mrs Downer and a ladies' sixette. A. dainty supper, served by the ladies of the brought an enjoyable evening to a close.