LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 131, 3 May 1940, Page 9

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS.

MOTHERS’ HAY PROGRAMME. A Mothers’ Day programme was the theme of the May meeting of the Palmerston North League of Mothers, yesterday afternoon. The Empire Hall was decorated in autumn tones with chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, berries and foliage. Mrs A. McPherson presided, and Mesdames F. Wilkinson and R. J. Mclver were the door hostesses. The president welcomed those present, including four new members, Mesdames E. Smith, Kain, McMillan and M. Klegg, and read a telegram of greetings from the former assistantsecretary, Mrs -V. Stagpoole, now of Christchurch. It was announced that Mrs Pasc-oe had taken over Mrs Stagpoole’s duties. Members were asked to assist with the making of roses for Mothers’ Day and those willing to help at the Patriotic Shop, when the league’s turn to take charge came, were asked to hand in their names. An attractive item, forming a tribute to “Mother.” was presented by Miss Freda Whittaker, assisted by Mrs Candy; Mrs R. J. Mclver gave the “happy thought” and the choir contributed songs, led by Mrs OChristiansen and accompanied l>y Mrs D. Williams. Mrs F. McLachlan rendered songs, accompanied by Mrs Williams. Flower sprays were presented to Mesdames Huggins, of Christchurch, and Chittenden, the oldest mothers present. Afternoon tea was served by Mesdames Middlemiss, Nicholson, Nicholls, Newman, Oliver, O’Connor, Pitcher, Petrie. Pullyn, Penny, Proctor. Piper, E. C. Peters, Prentice, R Parker. Palenski, T rewick, E. S. Smith and Miss Parker. The president introduced Rev. W. M. Garner, of the Congregational Church, who expressed his pleasure at being present, especially as the meeting was so close to Mothers Day, which he considered a wonderful institution. The home was a kind of bank in which the mother put everything she had and the family took it out. Mothers’ Day “pulled the family up with a round turn” and made them think of what mothers gave to the home, which was often taken for granted. A mother’s first duty was to her home. The perfect home was built on three things which Isaac in the Old Testament did. When he made liis home he built an altar, pitched his tent and dug a well. Every woman should take a share in the community interests, but her first duty was the pitching of the tent —the. building of a home. The speaker had no patience with' women who were on every possible committee and fed their families on makeshifts. The mother made a wonderful contribution to community life and national life by building a happy home. He thought a mother’s power came from the fact that her work was entirely selfless. Her job was about the only one that was not commercialised. She made a glad and free contribution to the life of the home. A modern tendency, which the speaker said appealed to him, was the tendency of mothers to keep young and enter into and understand the problems of their children. They probably did themselves good by this as well as benefiting their children. The digging of the well was a symbol oi the the spreading out of influence to do good to all men. The altar should come first of all, as it did in the Old Testament story. The stability of the tent and the value of the well depended on the altar. What was home without a Bible!' Some said it was better to let children think for themselves and make . their own choice. This sounded ail right in theory, but it must be remembered that one reappd m the autumn what one sowed in the spring. An important part of a mother’s job was planting good seed in the hearts and minds of per children, Mr Garner proceeded. He despised a mail who blamed his mother’s strictness for his reaction against religion ; he Was just seeking an excuse tor his own selfishness. A well-trained child might depart from his religion in hot-headed youth, hut the speaker believed that lie would return to it sooner or later. . Mrs E. W. Drake thanked the speaker for his address, and Mrs McPherson added her appreciation. Mrs McPherson also thanked the hostesses and entertainers. The decorations were the work of Mesdames F. Anderson (convener), Duffin and H. Drake.