CHARGE TO MOTHERS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17634, 11 December 1922, Page 2

CHARGE TO MOTHERS.

■ __« AIiDEESS BY BISHOP AVERILL. A strong appeal to the -women of Auckland to keep a close watch upon all matters affecting the moral wellbeing of the community "was voiced by Bishop Averill in an address given at the Mothers' Union festival service at St. Mary's Cathedral. "Particularly must you keep a sharp look-out in regard to legislation in this direction," said the bishop. "It would be a very good thing if every brancfc of the Mothers' Union would establish a vigilance committee, and if members would try to realise more fullyitkan in the past that it is their duty to safeguard in every way the sacred principles that are essential to the wellbeing of the homes of the community. We do not want to be dragged at the heels of America or any other country, but to realise that we are r.ble to guard the welfare of our country and to think things out for ourselves." Referring to the report of the Venereal Diseases' Commission, which he characterised as the sanest, most reverent, and searching document of the kind he had ever read, the bishop said there was no subject worthier the grave consideration of members of the Mothers' Union than this. Unpleasant though it mieht be, women must no longer attempt to close their eyes to facts, and he appealed to all present to study and support the recommendations made in'the report. "Do everything in your power to rouse public opinion on this most important matter," he said. "Bombard your members for Parliament and the Minister for Health, so that the Government will be forced to take action. You must be up and doing, for the question will come up before Parliament, and you must strengthen the hands of those who have the interests of this coutry sufficiently at heart to support effective legislation." , The bishop also made a strong appeal for, further instruction of children by i parents in the essential facta of life, which would do away in some measure with the deplorable ignorance at the root of much of the social trouble of the'present day. But above all, the duty of the mothers and of women generally was to try to mould public opinion to a saner, more healthy frame of j mind. Members of Parliament and doctors could not do the work by them- I selves, they must be backed up by the i strong moral support of the commun- ' ity, and behind all effort should be recognition of the fact that only by a real and vital spirit of religion could ' the scourge of social evil ever be wined I out. * |