FATHER’S DAY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 234, 1 September 1938, Page 2

FATHER’S DAY

HONOUR WHERE HONOUR IS DUE NOTABLE OBSERVANCE. Mother’s Day is. no longer an American institution; it is woven into the fabric of life in most countries and bids fair to live on when other observances fall into desuetude. The American genius for invention—satisfying the demand for the indispensable—has again risen to the occasion, with an enthusiasm that has been emulated, in Australia, and rectified an omission by providing the’opportunity to honour Father, decreeing the first Sunday in September to be Father’s Day. Christmas is the season when tho whole family—but particularly the juveniles—share the joy of giving and receiving, iu August Mother is honoured, and it is particularly fitting that in tlie first month of spring, when the spirit of expansiveness abounds, Father’s Day should bo observed. Its observance in New Zealand is now part of the national life. The custom of remembering “Dad” with a special greeting or gift is becoming increasingly popular, answering an instinct all of us feel, to express in some measure affection for the head of the house. If his birthday has skipped by unnoticed—and he has been too modest to mention it—the observance of a general “birthday” for fathers provides an excellent opportunity to rectify the omission. All the year round his hand is in liis pocket an/1 it is a splendid and natural gesture to reverse the order now and again—even if one has to “borrow” the wherewithal with which to honour him. The contention persists that “fathers are really just grown-up little boys, as every woman knows:” Father’s Day is an, excellent opportunity to test the belief. Fathers there are without number, famous, many of them, in national and public life—men of letters, statesmen, upholders of authority—but the big majority just “ordinary fathers” contributing richly to the enjoyment of life. On September 4 they will be in a common category—recipients of an uncommon honour.