HOME LIFE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 80, 14 January 1928, Page 4

HOME LIFE.

OLD IDEAS NOW SHAKEN. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, January 13. "This is an age when things regarding the home and home life may become unsettled in many ways. It ispartly owing to the enormous upheaval:* of the Great War, but it had begun, a little before that. There have been. very quick and sudden changes audi undreamed-of development in the liberty and freedom among young people.Manv women need to do a lot of clear - thinking to readjust their So much is criticised to-day that used to be taken for granted. All round us; old convictions' and ideas have been shaken and things have, got to betaken on a different plane. It is surely commonsense to gain what help we oan by joining others who are seeking guidance." •,, a\ Lady Alice Fergusson; who addressed the League of Mothers this afternoon, described with these words one of the principal objects of the organisation * that she is working to. strengthen. When in Dunedin 16 months ago, she addressed a gathering of women and was instrumental in haying branches of the League formed: Her address was delivered for the benefit of new and intending members of what is now a flourishing centre oFthe League. In beginning her address Lady Alice Fergusson said that her visit to Dune.din, though short: was well worth while especially as> she-had been enabled to meet those interested in the League of Mothers, a society m which she took a very real and deep interest. Although in a way- shei-had 'been instrumental in its organisation in New Zealand, it owed its existence to the Mothers' Union, which had been going on for a long time. It was because shehad seen the benefits of the Mothers Union and had been herself a member of the Scottish Mothers' Union that she had turned her attention to. theformation of the League. In discussing the rule's of the Lady Alice said that <?. the rrule lristract-f----ing them to teach their children obedience and self-control was very important, because it was a bulwark against the faddist. A'lot was heard to-day ahout the need for a child s self-' development—that he should be allowed to develop his own ■ personality, and so forth. In her opinion the crank and the faddist might carry this doctrine too far. Another rule dealt with the ■ necessity for parental control over theliterature and amusements of children. This was of tremendous importance. She knew that most mothers were busy people, and could not always be running aftar their older children, but Lea<nie mothers should know where their children were, and should not send them to the pictures, without knowing the type of film: that was being shown. '