FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 September 1923, Page 6

FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

LOSS OF HOME LIFE

REFLECTIONS BY AUCKLAND ROTARIAN. "It may seem strange to make the statement that the boy and girl of today surfer under any disadvantage as compared with our own childhood days. Vet a little consideration will give many of us at -least thought for reflection, said Mr. A. J. Hutehirison,- at a recent Rotary luncheon at Auckland. ' 'The greatest loss the boy and girl of to-day suiter is the Joss of home lite and the inter-home life of our young days. Paid for amusements—pictures shows, theatres, etc.—have robbed them of much. In the good old days there was more good than hard work—there were good home family gatherings, good home amusements. "The causes of the loss of home life to the children of to-day are many— ease of conveyance, tramcai's, motorcars, telephone, general progress; in short, the conveniences for outside enjoyment have increased faster than those of home enjoyment. The family circle has, to a large extent, disappeared. How many families gather round their own firesides nowadays? Civilisation has, during the past fifty years, become more complex. Every modern invention has made life easier, yet more strenuous, and the boy and "girl of to-day iare born into a world of rush and bustle, where men are busy facing and fighting new problems daily, including golf scores, auction bridge, etc. . "We have all heard those, so-called' funny stories of the. boy who a^ked his mother who that man was, or when that man was going away. Buy him a toy or book, eire him a shilling or two, anything but home! time is too .■precious. Club life, golf, public life —there are a thousand and one claims on time to be met before the boy's claim, which is mostly one of the overdue accounts, tin-

paid. Most of us have heavy debit balances posted up against us in this respect. MR. HUTCHINSON'S REMEDY.

"If you want to make your boy a present, something that he will appreciate, something that will not lose its novelty and be thrown to one side, something that the older h* grows the more valuable it will become, the more appreciated—step down from your pinnacle of manhood, quit studying markets or golf scores, become a boy 3 and give your boy some of your time, and give it to him in your home. Make at least one evening a week your boy's nig M,—be borne early, take an interest in the school football match and his pals. If "the other fellow wants you to pn out. tell him it is absolutely impossible. tVat it is your boy's night. "Be his guide, his father, his pal. Keep the best side you have for home. Help yo^v boy with his lemons, the lesson of life, and his play."