Appeal For Christmas Peace In The Home

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 16

Appeal For Christmas Peace In The Home

“Christmas is above all a time of peace—let’s make sure that this peace is enjoyed in the home itself.” This plea was made by Mr G. M. Morgan, manager of the Anglican Social Service Council in Christchurch.

Every year at holiday periods the council was called on to intervene in marital disputes, and the Christmas season of good cheer was ironically enough, no exception. Last year the council helped settle four family quarrels at this time, said Mr Morgan. Mr Morgan described some of the common ways in which strife can arise, marring and perhaps ending the family festivities. Even the most tolerant parents could be irritated by their children’s noisy high spirits at Christmas. However, it was their mother who usually had to handle the problem of caring for their innumerable needs and keeping them at once happy and out of mischief. This, on top of the exhausting business of Christmas shopping, preparing extra and elaborate meals, entertaining visitors and coping with a hundred and one other seasonal tasks, could produce frayed nerves and exhausted patience. Her husband, however, could well feel like taking it easy, “getting together with the boys,” and keeping a bottle opener handy. When charged, not unreasonably, with neglecting his family responsibilities, he might make

the not unreasonable reply that a man deserved a little relaxation after a year’s hard work. Thus, with each convinced that right was on his or her side, hostilities could commence.

“In all walks of life we find fathers who are worried over the amount of money spent at Christmas,” said Mr Morgan. One such might accuse his wife of extravagance, and she, indignant at this interpretation of her efforts to keep expense at a minimum (within limits), would perhaps ask how much had been spent on liquor lately. . . . In perfectly harmonious households gaiety and celebration could get out of hand and quite senseless differences occur. Then there were the homes where relations were normally strained anyway. Resentment and antagonism might be brought to boiling point because of added tensions. For these people he quoted from a sermon he had heard recently: “In war time there is such a thing as an armistice on Christmas Day; why not make a Christmas armistice in the home?”

He stressed the importance of tolerance, understanding and co-operation, and the “good will” which alone created “peace on earth.”

Water Rate.—The Halswell County Council has amended it water-supply by-law. Some charges will be increased from January 1.