“COLD RICE TOMMY.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40014, 24 October 1929, Page 4

“COLD RICE TOMMY.”

GOVERNOR-GENERAL’S STORY,

His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, in addressing the children of Picton last week, made the following interesting and humorous remarks: —■

After being - introduced by the Mayor His (Excellency said he was pleased to see such a number of young folks present,, and referred particularly to the Girl Guides and Brownies. He told a little incident which had impressed him greatly at Blenheim the previous evening. He was walking to the hotel from the Town Hall, he said, when a. little, person came pattering 'behind him in a Brownie uniform. She grasped his hand in a most friendly manner, and said, “Mr. Governor, I do wish you were not going away.” This, he said, was the nicest thing that had happened to him in New Zealand, and he was pleased to think that he had gained the love "of the little ones. The Girl Guides’ movement was a splendid one, as the Guides were trained to he good citizens, loyal to their King and country, and useful at. all times/ It was grand to think that there were something like two million Girl Guides; in the*Empire —-a grand sisterhood to which all should be proud to belong. His Excellency urged :the boys and girls present to so conduct themselves that when they grew up to be men and women they would be well able to take their part in the progress of the country. They should at all times tre-memiber the grand old Britishrace from which they sprang — men and women who had made New Zealand the fine country it is to-day. Speaking to the little girls, His Excellency told a little story about “nick names.” In Japan, he said, there was a family “nick name” in every - household, the eldest children being called “Cold Rice Tommy” or “Cold Rice Mary,” as the case might be. The main food in Japan families was rice, and father, mother, and all. the children had their meals together. When the rice came to be served, father was helped first, mother second, and the youngest in the family to the eldest. By the time it came to the latter, the rice was generally .(cold, and that was the reason of the “nick name.” taught the children to be unselfish, and the moral lie wished to bring out was that children should get into the habit of showing more consideration for others in their home fife. Who was it, ho asked, Who was always last in having food at the table, .and lie answered “Mother!” Who- stayed home oftentimes in order to let her children take part in some amusement, “Mother.” The happiest families were those in which 'the childlren were content with the cold rice whilst mother was rewarded with the hot. Another little story was to the effect that one. day a little boy gave an to his mother, enclosing a piece of paper on which was written, “Owed by Mother to Tommy: Lighting fire fid, washing kettle 6d, collecting wood 6d, .dusting chair fid —total 2/-.” At the next meal Tommy found an envelope in his place, which included 2/and the following note: “Due to Mother by Tommy: 'Six years of love and esteem, nothing; sitting up all night when you had nieasels, nothing; boots, clothes, and food for six years, nothing—total, nothing.” Tommy had a very pink face when lie read the note, and rushed to his mother, rather ashamed of himself, and said: “Take the money back, mother; I didn’t think.” The moral, His Excellency said, was that boys and girls should think more of others than they did of themselves. His Excellency asked His Worship the Mayor to use his influence in obtaining for the children of Picton a full school holiday on the Friday preceding •Labour Day, to be kn'own as the GovernorGeneral’s holiday. (Eheers from the children). .In conclusion, he said this would be the last occasion he would see them all before going homo across the seas, but he would take a nilessage of love from them to the King, and tell His 'Majesty .that they had promised to be time and loyal, and help to make New Zealand 'a great country in every way possible. (Applause).