AT LONG LAST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 208, 3 September 1938, Page 15

AT LONG LAST.

A DUE IS PAID.

FATHER HAS HIS DAY.

. . . BUT WHAT'S IN A NAME 7 For years now we have been accustomed to the observance of a Mother's Day, but the day to be observed tomorrow will be the first time fathers have bren ollirially recognised in this way. Fathers have for some time felt in their quiet and long-suffering way that they have deserved something of this kind; but in the way that men have, they Jiave done nothing about it. At long last, however, recognition has come to them, which, though tardy, is better late than never. Sunday, they feel, will be in the nature of an experiment. For years now they have been meeting the demand made by their .childrvn on their pockets for a present for mother. Perhaps now, they may be done by as they have done.

But to this there is a codicil, so to speak. Father is the head of the houaehold —at least when it conies to matters of money." He provider the necessary for all that is bought in the house, and so it is quite possible, entirely probable, in fact, that the money which little .Tohn asks his mother for will, in the first place, liave come from little John's father. Father, in other words, as ever, will find the money to buy himself a present. This, however, is nothing new. It happens at Christmas. It happens if his family happen to remember that he has a, birthday. It is, a trifle ironic, 'but father will look rather at the spirit than at the gift. Men Do Have' Subtlety. Men, it might be said, are not without &übtlety. Instead of receiving a present, it is possible that they might want that deference to be paid to them on Father's Day to be shown in another way. Perhaps breakfast might be given them in bed. Perhaps they might, on that one day, be allowed to do exactly as they wi»li. Perhaps, as a special favour, considering the day. little John might tidy up the -woodshed or sweep the paths, or mow the lawn — all johs which he lias been instructed to do time and again, but which somehow seem to have remained undone. Father's Day may conceivably prod a guilty juvenile conscience into activity. If it does that and nothing more, it will almost have justified its inauguration. At all events the idea has "caught on." Posters have appeared in conspicuous places in shops. Approving comnlent lias been heard at bridge parties— women's bridge parties, that is, of course. And that approval is important, because if the women take up the idee of a Father's Day it cannot fail. Dark Rumours. They will doubtless think of all sorts of presents which father might find useful; but one has heard dark rumours that too many strictly utilitarian suggestions have been made in that regard to make the present one without prejudice. Women have such practical ideas when it comes to buying a present for father. Perhaps the garden might do with a new hoe, or a new pair of clippers, or a new hose or spade. They might even badger father into buying for himself that new suit which he so obviously needs, hut which he just never seems to order. All these things, however, remain to be seen. Father's Day has yet to come; and it is only when it is over and the fathers of New Zealand take stock that its success or its effect can be judged. At all events, the idea is good. Father •tolerates it and mother approves it.