N.Z. Mothers Can Learn From Those Of Japan

Press, Volume C, Issue 29620, 16 September 1961, Page 2

N.Z. Mothers Can Learn From Those Of Japan

“New Zealand mothers, in spite of the help of organisations such as the Plunket Society, still have much to learn about child care when compared with Japanese mothers.” Miss Edna Neville told members of the Y.W.C.A. Fellowship at a luncheon yesterday. Miss Neville, who attended the Congress for Cultivating Cultural Harmony in Japan this year, was impressed by the great care Japanese mothers gave their children.

“Japanese children rarely cry. The young babies and toddlers are carried strapped to their mothers’ backs. This close contact with the mother does, I feel, give the children a sense of security which is so necessary for successful adjustment,’' she said. As well as providing for the spiritual and mental needs of the children, the mothers are careful to see that the youngsters have the best food and clothing the families can afford. “I am often appalled to see small children and babies trundled round Christchurch on wet days. Their prams are very often loaded on the front of buses and when the mothers alight, the babies are placed in the damp prams. This does not happen in Japan,” said Miss Neville. “Quite often the children do not seem to be adequately protected against cold or wet weather. I can't help wondering whether trips to town, especially on wet days, are really necessary. “Japan is a land of festivals. Naturally enough, be-

cause of the importance the Japanese attach to their children. there is a special day for Children celebrated each year

“On this day, parents devote themselves exclusively to the enjoyment of their children. This is a wonderful idea, and I am thinking of writing to Mr Holyoake about inaugurating an international children's day,” said Miss Neville. “Japanese women are very sweet, shy and unassuming. The shop girls can't do enough to help you. Of course there is terrific competition for even the most humble job.” One of the most outstandirw impressions Miss Neville has of Japan is the desire of the people for peace. “I made many friends. The people are naturally hospitable, kind and friendly, and very honest.” The .pace of life in Japan, especially in Tokyo, was rather terrifying. “We are lucky to.be able to live such leisurely lives here.” she said.

Many Tokyo streets accommodate seven lanes of traffic. "I looked from my room and was very startled to see a girl riding a bike in the middle of these lanes. However, I think I felt more concern for the fate of the dog trotting alongside the bike. But they were all right,” she said. Accident Cases Miss Neville found a hospital run by the Red Cross in Tokyo full of accident cases.

“The nurses spend a lot of their off-duty time dressing dolls. They told me they like to be happy, and dress-

ing dolls helps them to relax,” she said. Colour played a major part in the lives of the Japanese people, and Japan was the home of floral decorations. Miss Neville said she had taken three lessons in this art at a special school in Tokyo Much time was spent on the artistic presentation of food. “Even a small snack I ordered on a train was served in the shape of a fish, on a small polished square of bamboo,” said Miss Neville. While in Tokyo, Miss Neville stayed at the Y.W.C.A. “About 2800 girls attend classes each week,” she said. Miss Neville is in charge of a youth club organised by a city store. In the Tokyo Y.W.C.A., she met her counterpart, a retired American missionary.