MOTHERS AND SONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1941, Page 7

MOTHERS AND SONS

Y.M.C.A. BANQUET HELD LAST NIGHT. ADDRESS BY MISS VAN STAVEREN The annual Mother and Son banquet, which was held by the Masterton Y.M.C.A. last evening, was voted by those present to be one of the most successful yet held. The tables were artistically decorated for the occasion and were laden with excellent fare. The president of the Ladies* Auxiliary, Mrs H. E. Pithcr. was in the chair. A total of one hundred and twenty sat down to tea. The general secretary, Mr C. W. Gaze, made brief reference to Mothers' Day. He stated that the founder was Miss Anna Jarvis. Philadelphia. in 1890. The movement was sponsored by the Y.M.C.A. m New Zealand in 1900. The toast o'f "Mother” was proposed by the Rev H. Taepa and responded to by Mrs F. Price. A Maori concert party headed by Mrs R. Te Tau gave a bright and varied programme of native song and dance for which they were heartily applauded. Their harmonious singing was delightful to listen to. Mis V. Van Staveren. Wellington, gave an address on gas warfare and A.R.P. work. “This country is not as prepared for air raids as it might be. England is well prepared and we might well follow her lead." said Miss Van Staveren. She referred to the way in which all sections of the community in England were organised in A.R.P. work and made reference Io the Abyssinian war in which, she said, the Italians had showered mustard gas on defenceless natives. Miss Van Staveren showed charts and pictures of the effect of mustard and Lewisite gas burns and stressed die necessity for early treatment. She was thanked for her address. Votes of thanks were also passed to the concert parly, the Ladies’ Auxiliary, Mrs Scharnweber (for her floral work), and to die members of the Optimist Club for their services. The general secretary, Mr Gaze, was accorded musical honours and was cheered for his work. Tlie gathering concluded with the singing of “God Defend New Zealand" and the National Anthem.