A WORD WITH MOTHERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 17039, 14 December 1915, Page 9

A WORD WITH MOTHERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir T wonder who aro the happiest mothers to-clay—those who have conquered their selfishness and encouraged their boys to enlist in this great light against cruelty and barbarism or tnose that, liaving sons eligible for toe front, are holding them back, their own hearts in the meantime being torn between love and duty. lam euro the former aro the happiest by far, for although their minds nre constantly filled with anxiety concerning their sons’ safety, yet underneath it ajl there reigns a feeling of pride in their sons, which they have never before experienced. The latter mother knows perfectly well where her duty lies. It stands out clear heforu her, and haunts hoc day and night. She is for t'l’jei clutching at some paltry excuse why she does not believo in her boy going, but deep down in her heait she know." it is only selfishness and despises herself for it.' Once let that mother conquer that hateful feeling and say to her boy, “ Well, son, l will no longer persuade you not to enlist. Go and take- your place beside your fellow--men and be numbered among those that have helped to crush ouy brutalenemies, who have done to doatn countless numbers of innocent women and helpless babes." Let a mother sav this to her boy, and she will nor only bring out all that is noble and good in her hoy, but she will feel such a sweet contentment-spring up v uiiin herself that happiness w.IT at dure prevail. What a beautiful sight when he presents himself before her in hi s khaki uniform! Can we imagine any mother saying to her soil,-"Go and take those clothes off! I would rather see you in your cricketing flannels?” She would mom likely go and put the latter under the copper fire. And what of the boy? He would not need to £0 t-o get bis chest up to the uesiil'd ’tnaasurement if it fell a bit short. His own pride in himself would expand it out- that far. Ask any mother who has sent her boy to the front, and even that brave soul, whose (all too often) only son sleeps fav away in Gallipoli, ask them if tnoy havo any regrets that their boys followed the path of duty, and I think \v o can say for certain there is not one of them would wish their sona back hero, to be classed among those who are still •■‘following their usual pleasures and pastimes, and earning the utmost contempt and disgust of the whole community.—l am, etc., K.H.