LEAGUE OF MOTHERS AND INSTITUTES.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 26, 20 November 1930, Page 11

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS AND INSTITUTES.

It has long boon felt by the leaders «f both t-he Women's institute and League of Mothers, that, in small districts it would, be a disadvantage to have two such associations working separately, und recently plans have l>eea under way to worK the two in -conjunction in places. wheTe the popula-, is small or scattered. W^t has nrov been arranged to form a •Oirclc of the League of Mothers 'withia and as a part of, §tokes Valley Women's Institute. The President of the Institute will be, ex-ofaeio, President of the League Circle and the committee of the latter, will act as a suib--eommittoe of tie Institute. In this way it is hoped to avoid o.vel-4apping and to olbtain the maximum benefit from both ' .-■.-,.•

The iirst meeting» of Stokes Valley % Circle, under these conditions, toolc place in tlio Hall on November 13*U, when Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, of Wellington, spoke on the Rules' of ttie League of Mothers, and her talk was, followed with close interest /by all present. She explained that though the base, of the [League of Mothers is broadly religious, its foundation is practical and not dogmatic Christianity—it is essentially toroad arid unseetariah. The sanctity of marriage is one of the cornerstones of the movement and Dr. Bryson pointed out how the happy home, in which the parents are at one, helped the' der velopnxent of the child's moral character, and did much to lay the foundation of go6d citizenship. « .

The heart of the activity of the League is the responsibility of parents. The Plunket Society has donp much for the physical well-toeing of children, but even more important are the! investigations into the mental and niox&l side of the child, and the ivnderstanduig of the best possiible ways of training a child in <go?a habits of thouglit and action. Dr." Bryson said that although muxjh has been don-e^there is still much to do in this direction, the greatest danger Toeing from lack of knowledge. She Durged purents to train fey example at&ther than precept, and to -encourage sight. doing, from- inward desire rather than from fear of punishment. In elqa^ ing she said that children grow up, not as Afe try to make them, but as we are; "therefore -we must live truthfully with, them if we would have them truthful.

Dr. Bryson very kindly answered questions arising out of her talk, giving great help to all present,- everyone of ■whom joined the League "Cirfcle. Afternoon tea under the direction of. Mrs. Wylie brought a most instructive meeting to a close.