RANDOM REMINDER

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 28

RANDOM REMINDER

FATHERS’ (ONLY) DAY

These notes have been prepared with meticulous care, for they cover a subject of more than ordinary importance. Christmas holds prominent place, still, in the festivals of the year. The birthday of a child, even of a wife, has to be recognised, however modestly. But next Sunday is Father’s Day, and as it’s the only one he gets, this is an earnest appeal to make it memorable. There should be no nonsense about starting the day with breakfast in bed. Few men enjoy that. Instead, a man should be allowed to get his own in his particular, peculiar fashion. It may make a bit of a mess in the kitchen, for man at the kitchen bench is a trifle unorthodox, but there will be

(lender, willing band* to clean up after him. Then he should be allowed freedom to put on whatever pair of trousers he pleases, and to wear the tie of his fancy, without ribald comment. And, for the day, a reprieve from having to defend his possessions from a posse of sons intent on borrowing shirts, ties, socks and belts. Just for a few hours, the poor old chap should become a king in his suburban castle. During the day, he may be allowed to entertain friends of his own choice, even if they talk nothing but Rugby and racing in terms quite unintelligible to the rest of the host family. Father should be permitted to go off for a game of golf or the pursuit of

some other strange masochistic pleasure in the afternoon, while those at home prepare for him a meal of bis own choice. And when he gets back, he and he alone shall have complete sway over the television controls, with the volume as loud or as low as he likes. When he chooses to retire, he may take to bed with him a book which he shows no sign of completing with an hour or two, and, if his tastes run that way, a huge black cigar. The more observant will have noticed that there is no reference to the purchase of presents. With a day such as the one described, he will not need gifts. Besides, be can't afford the cost of them.