INSPIRING ADDRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 80, 1 October 1938, Page 18

INSPIRING ADDRESS

CHALLENGE TO PARENTS

L.O.M. GREAT GATHERING

Yesterday afternoon the Y.W.C.A. Blue Triangle Hall was crowded with members of the Wellington provincial section of tlie League of Mothers. Most of the formal business, involving the executive and committee had been put through in the ...morning, .so that in the afternoon, when the general meeting was held, more time could be devoted to the speakers and to social activities. . Occupying the chair for the last time was the president, Mrs. H, W. Kersley, who vacated it in favour of Mrs. H. H. Cornish, newly-elected to office. Mr. Victor Jones, speaking on "The New World," dealt in turn" with leisure and the uses to which it should be put, with the attitude of parents towards their children, and with the problems which faced modern youth. "THE REVOLT OF YOUTH." He urged a-better understanding of the youth of today. They were often misunderstood because of their frank attitude to life, and in many cases their free behaviour was misinterpreted as looseness of conduct. This was not true. Thrust as they were into a dynamic world that was vibrant with change, young people were faced with problems that had not existed in their parents' day. b Sometimes they became impatient of the requirements and standards set by the older generation and were not inclined to respect supervision. "The revolt of youth" was descriptive pf their attitude, though too strong to express it aptly. He stressed the point that youth's outlook on life I was equally as sane and wholesome as in the older generation.

Speaking of the amount of leisure that was now being experienced by the average person, Mr. Jones said that though the extra time given by the reduction of working hours was a good thing in- itself it could.become a menace unless the' leisure was more profitably used. If this was not done it would become :■■ a negative factor in the country. Leisure should be positive and not something which would undermine the social system. "The only permanent . thing in life is change," said Mr. Jones, quoting from a former teacher. Life is never static. Social life is changing, and it remained to be seen what the moderns will do with it. The use of leisure is vital to the individual and.to society at large for unless it is used wisely something is going to happen." THE HOME AND PARENTS. _ The home and parents played a vital part, the speaker said, the parent in particular .figuring: largely in adjustment to the changing world. Tt was not sufficient for a parent to be interested in her child. She must be informed about it. The intelligent attitude of parents helped towards the child's subsequent tolerance and patience. He urged parents to have a sense of comradeship based on relationship and not on authority. Authority, in his opinion, did not build character. .Rather comradeship and the correct .environment helped the j-young people, and assisted them in [making intelligent decisions. "How many of. you," he.asked, amid laughter, "have said, 'when I was a girl* I didn't do it that way?'" The correct way of guiding-a child away, from a wrong decision or action was not by driving, but by leading it.. This was one of the advantages of comradeship. Proper"„home;. living and partnership between each'meihber helped to make a family^ one unit..Co-ordination by the family played an important part ?n the swing of youth into social expression which was sometimes- unduly, recognised.. It wag- the. point of choice in the lives of' people I that' determined their character.; ; Tt. was the par ems' job to surround then* children with sufficient influences to help them make this choice; wisely. The home, too, should be the centre of activity Bather than a place to go away from in order to have fun. "And all young people must have fun," he added. The home should be the place where each member of the family received the recognition which he or she deserved. "Today we need a youth with a mind that thinks," the speaker asserted. "We need a youth with a heart that loves; a heart that loves all that is highest in Christian relationship— that loves beauty—friendships—nature —mankind. We need a youth with vision—-with;' eyes that can see. Vision to see their responsibility and obligation as citizens and.that will fit them for a higher place in the world when they grow older. Mothers, it is all in your hands." The home could <be weak. It could-be a place that was merely a hotel—somewhere to eat and to sleep. • But; this; home could also maintain itself ias a place for appreciation. A new type .of citizen was evolving, f veed fromrqerteaii .shackles. - The completion ofrtlae Jperfe'ction of that individual was their job—-in the/home. CHAtJWENGET ACCEPTED., Mrs. Kersley spoke in deep appreciation of , Mr. Jones's address. The gathering, she said, Would accept his challenge to do. tbe, right thing, and, also, they would carry on the objects of the league. b'. , A vote of thanks was.passed by acclamation. Before making Ker official retirement, Mrs. Kersley reiterated previous remarks as to the fine work done by her executive. Her successor, Mrs. Cornish; had beena-very fine worker as honorary provincial secretary for some years, and would; she was sure, be equally popular ahd efficient in her hew role. . She paid special tribute to the choirs frpm the Lyall Bay-Kil-birnie branch which sang during the afternoon, and ;to b hiembers of : the ' Petone branch who had So effectively decorated the stage.": Special mention was made .of the work. of Mrs. Jones, president of the Brooklyn branch, , who supervised the most important; task of making teai and;thanks were accorded the Hutt Valley branch for lending a considerable amount, of crockery. She thanked they members oi- ' the Y.W.C.A., for their, courtesy and. help. The Petone Women; had made a fine display on- the stage:' Brass bOwls of lilies ran the entire - length of the front, and" a large! jar of the same flowers made an effective centrepiece at the back. At either side masses of flowering currant hiade a brilliant show; and a further note of colour was given by the pots of yellow japonica which flanked each side of the stairway leading to the stage. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Before afternoon tea w^s served the results of the election of officers was announced as follows:—Provincial president, Mrs. H. H. Cornish;; hon. secretary, Mrs. P. M. • Cameron; hon. assistant secbretary, Mrs. F. S,' Maclean; hon.. treasurer, Mrs. A. P. Young; supplies secretary, Mrs. G.W.'Guthrie; hon. vice-presidents. Lady \ Elliott, Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, Mesdames Charles White, H. W. Kersley.. Peter Fraser, 'F. Porter, W. S. Rollings, Misses Richmond and Lorimer: vice-presi-dents. Mesdames Marshall, Maunsel, Buddie. Harris,-' Wise. Haigh", Peterson, Ashforth: executive, Mesdames Charles White, Kersley, Wall, Cornish, Young, ' Guthrie, Millward, Cameron, Maclean, Mexted, Gunn; magazine correspondent Mrs. H. F. Norman; magazine

distributor, Mrs. F. R. Wood; organising secretary, Mrs. G. Vance; delegate to the National Council of Women, Mrs. B. L. Dallard; provincial representatives to Dominion Council, Mesdames Cornish and Cameron; officers for Dominion Council, Mrs. Charles White (president), and Mrs. A. L. Wall (secretary and treasurer).