TOWN HALL MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 7, 8 July 1931, Page 14

TOWN HALL MEETING

GATHERING OF WOMEN

MOTHERS 1 LEAGUE EFFORT

It must have seemed as if all.ways for women led to the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, for there must have been well over 2000 present at the gathering arranged by the League-of-Mothers' organisation to ■ celebrate tho inception of the league by Lady Alice Fergusson. The stage had been carpeted and nnuished, and adorned with great bowls of hydrangeas on high stands, also tall palnis, birch, and bamboo, a very effective arrangement. His Excellency, who was accompanied by Lady Biettisloe and Lieut. EJworthy, 8.N., was met by Mrs. J. Elliott, provincial president, and Mrs. C. White (Dominion secretary), and greeted by a women fs guarcl of honour formed by tho presidents and secretaries of the local branches. On the platform with Their. Excellencies were Mrs. Elliott, Mrs. C. "White, and Dr. Elizabeth Bryson. 'At the organ was Mrs. Caldwell, who played acceptable music at.intervals throughout the afternoon. Mrs. Ernest Dawson was in charge of the arrangements, and assisted by Mrs. Ward, Miss Corkill, Mrs. Ko'rsioy, Mrs. Arthur Stone, Mrs. Guthrie, Mrs. W. Jameson, and the assistant sercetaries and' treasurers acted as ushers. Among those present were all those ladies who had given addresses at the meetings'of the league branches during the year, a*nd representatives from Palmerston North, Masterton, Featherston, Greytown, and Carjerton. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews sang several songs very charmingly. She was accompanied by Mrs. Dallard. ' "LITTLE TIMF TO THINK." Mrs. J. S. Elliott expressed the cordial welcome of all present to Their Excellecies, alluding to the founder oi the league (Lady Alice Fergusson), who, she said, was -always:remembered and loved, and who had kindly commended the league to Her Excellency. She mentioned'that the gathering represented not only the League of Mothers, but many representatives .of.other organised women's societies, who had accepted the' invitation to be present, and who were specially welcome. The league itself had doubled its numbers during the past year, and had gono on most peacefully and satisfactorily. It was like "the older organisation, the Mothers'•Union, except that it was undenominational, but the ideals were mainly the same. The chief concern was the maintenance of ideals, to secure purity of life, steadfastness of character, and to raise- the standard of national character in. every way posible to the mothers of the people. "There is little time to think in these days, said Mrs. Elliott, "and many goodthings are put aside as old-fashioned." She quoted tho speech mado by His Majesty the King, in which he said that tho family, was tho. real foundation of the prosperity of the nation. A.delightful song from. Mrs. Wilfred Andrews was interpolated here, and .then Mrs. Elliott asked His Excellency, to address the meeting. ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR; GENERAL. His Excellency's speech was received with the greatest attention, and was followed by hearty applause. Ho began by saying that the land and institutions of this country were what the Mother Country, through her pioneers, had made them. The people of this country were destined to bo in physique, character, and ideals what tho mothers of the country choso to make them. If the nation's mothers were behindhand through lack of courage, energy, or personal conviction in fulfilling the highest duties of motherhood the nation's sons and daughters would suffer in contrast and in competition' with those in other countries where the spiritual urge of motherhood was more conspicuous in moulding the nation's destinies. The personneL the environment, the ingrained nobility, and the inspiring ' traditions of ■ this sun-kissed land were all favourable to making Now Zealand the Britain tho Southern Hemisphere radiating out to other loss favoured nations, as did Britain in days gone by, an.cxanvple and a standard of character and achievement w,hieh all might envy and imitato but nono excel. The foundations of Britain's greatness were laid in the homes of her people, and it was the woman — the wife and mother—who made the home. Detachment from home, home ties and home interests was a fregrettublo characteristic of all classes _ of modern society and detracted materially from the swe9tness of life and its cherished memories. . There could be few more worthy ambitions of a good mother than to make the home, however humble, attractive to its inmates and calculated, in its beauty, cleanliness, and • congenial surroundings, to draw, out: all'that was best and most loveablo iv their natures. It was not sufficient to • 'feed tho brutes' or to clothe the bairns. They"must be provided also with the magnetism of a congenial environment to which the family were" instinctively and irresistibly drawn and by which they were led to realise, if not-to confess,: that ," 'Mid pleasures antl'.'.picture' palaces there is no place like home." Ho noted with interest and sympathy that the objects of their league' briefy\ summarised were ■'''The sanctiity 'of -mamago, parental-responsibility, and fellowship founded upon common ideals' :and the determination to strive after them and inspire with them the family life1 of the nation." ' ' . - ■ CONCENTRATION OF EFFORT. His Excellency then proceeded, effectively to discuss ' these -. objects, ■ and urged concentration of effort in effecting reform. It was' this concentration of effort, he', said, "which was 'so efficacious and which justified tho third great object of thwMothers' League, namely, fellowship, among mothers in pursuing high ideals. The goal or objectivo of all good men and women was similar, although the path that led to it be different.1 Such moil "and women were to be found in separate classes, scparuto roligious tabernacles, separate political caucuses. If only those who yearned earnestly after national righteousness could join iv a combined effort to achieve it their, power would be irresistible and tho attainment of their goal certain. ' The League of Mothers and the Mothers' Union were alike pointing the way to tho betterment of our future citizens as; only- mothers, could. (Applause.) . ' DIFFICULT TO BRING UP A FAMILY? Dr. Elizabeth Bryson thanked', His E .cellency for ■ his address, and remarked that the mother's'of to-day lived in stirring times when it was extremely difficult to bring up a family on right lines. She folt that the children, liko tho parents, would have to face world problems, and she was sure that the spirit of love must be cultivated, as well as that in spiritual values or disaster would happen. The National Anthem was played, and concluded "a memorable meeting. Mrs.. HiiMnvaitc Konaldson, Feudal; ton, ChriHteliurcli, will arrive in "Wellington on Fridyy morning, witli her small -son, to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs, George .Chapman, Lower Hutfc, ' . .