THE HOME INFLUENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 222, 15 August 1930, Page 11

THE HOME INFLUENCE.

ADDRESS TO GIRL CITIZENS. Members of the Girl Citizens’ movement spent a very happy two hours at the Y.W.C.A. club-rooms last evening, the occasion being a Mother and Daughter banquet, given in honour of Miss L. Bridgman, national girls’ work secretary, who is at present visiting Palmerston North. There was a large attendance, which included members of the board and the girls’ work committee and also many of the mothers. The tables wero very, artistically arranged. A number of toasts were honoured, the proceedings concluding with songs and games, all of which were entered into with zest

The principal toast was that of the guest of the evening, Bridgman, proposed by Miss Nancy Wliitcher. In reply Miss Bridgman stated that it was very pleasing to her to witness so many of the girls meeting together on the present occasion accompanied by their mothers. That was how it should he. There were so many things that young folk did apart from their mothers nowadays that the Girl Citizens movement was desirous that children should be in closer touch with their parents. So many things were shared in common in the home life that it was important that children and parents should share in the greater things of life. Civilisation had developed out of the barbarous times when the father and mother had attempted in a rough way to care for their children. Life had grown beautiful throughout the ages. The desire to love and to be loved had built up the life of the home. But nowadays so much was taken for granted, the blessings of the homo were often accepted as a matter of course. This was particularly so in childhood. “But as wo grow up,” the speaker continued, “we come to realise just what mother means to us. It is then that we share with her our joys and sorrows, trying to make a return for all she has dono for us. Home life is like a team, every member of the family having a part to play. As we grow up, we have to find out just what part we have to play. Few homes are perfect, but we can all do our bit to make home a happy place and life a worth while thing. There are a few things we can strive for if our team is to play together and win the final goal. There should be no moods in the home making other people miserable. Another thing that matters a great deal is that we should tell people wo are glad when they have done something nice for us. The sharing of praise helps us along tremendously. There should also be lots of fun in our homes. Children go out because they can’t get enough fun at home, but we should learn to play together. There is an added sparkle when older people share in our enjoyment.” Miss Bridgman went on to say that it was good to have little people dependent on one. One should not forget how much fun could he got out of life in that way. The Girl Citizens had a very fine code and their laws fitted into the life of the home. There was no better place to build up the spirit of the Empire than in that little part of Heaven called home. Miss Dorothy Ferguson was toast mistress. Tho toast list was as follows: “Tho King,” proposed by Miss M. Walker; “Mother,” proposed by Miss Vera Berryman, and replied to by Mrs Sinclair; “Father,” proposed by Miss Ruby Cook, Mrs Ferguson replying; “The Girl Citizen Movement,” proposed by Miss Minnie Tester; “Girls in Other Lands,” proposed by Miss Joan Andrews; “Miss Bridgman,” proposed by Miss Nancy Wliitcher; “The Toast Mistress,” proposed by Miss Jamieson; “Miss Jamieson,’ proposed by Miss Ferguson.