Mother’s Day of Opportunity

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 111, 13 May 1939, Page 14

Mother’s Day of Opportunity

NEW ZEALAND MOTHER OFFERS A CHALLENGE The problem of the defence of New Zealand is brought much before the public these days. To us who are mothers it is a matter of paramount importance, for it is the sons of the older ones among us she will be called upon as defenders and the children of the younger mothers who will be the defended. Surely, then, we mothers have a 9 responsibility and a part to play in deciding the measures taken to defend our country against the dangers which may be threatening it. Most of us remember only too clearly the war of 1914-1918, when our husbands, sons, fathers and brothers gave the best of their lives —if not life itself—to wage a war that was to end war. And now, twenty years later, we are told to realise we may havo to face that horror again. There doesn’t seem much sense in offering our sons to secure the safety of our smaller children now, if in another twenty years they themselves are to be caught in the same relentless machine. There is an old adage which, says that the best method of defence is attack —and I believe it still to be true. The best way to defend this country is to attack—ngt the people of another nation, but the fundamental causes of war—selfishness, irresponsibility, greed and fear in ourselves.

Following her stirring call for moral and spiritual re-armament Queen Wilhelmina of Holland .recently broadcast thus to her people: — “It is in line with the principles of Moral Re-Armament to face the signs of rottenness in our nation and do all we can to cut them out. Such voluntary national effort on the part of a free people would have the greatest significance.

“The first need is to create a completely changed mentality and to apply it to the material and moral needs of our nation. Fear of desstruction must become the will to construction. The disunity of our daily life and of our mutual estrangements are had remedies for the diseases of our times. Howdocs this apply to us? Does it mean that our own homes—our own hearts are breeding places for the germs of world chaos?” Turning to the personal implications, Queen Wilhelmina said:—

“Nearly all the former foundations on which the individual can base life are going. We are met everywhere by insecurity and unrest. Without a personal relationship with God, no inner peace is possible, but with it the highest barriers can be surmounted. On this truth rests moral re-armament.

11 Many people have asked me what my personal faith and experience is. ‘Christ first of all’ has been my guiding star in arriving at those conclusions about Moral ReArmament. I hope I will till my last breath be true to this experience.”

Can we mothers of New Zealand do better than follow the lead set by this Royal Mother of a nation? In every area of the animal world the mother, however, timid her nature, will fight and attack with tremendous courage to protect her young from danger, and I believe we human mothers are no exception. The need is urgent and the way is clear, we must start with ourselves. Tomorrow is Mother’s Day. All through the country homage is paid to us by our children and men-folk. Can we face that if we are holding back from accepting full share of responsibility for the future ahead of them? Let us somewhat change the meaning of Mother’s Day. Let us read into it a challenge for ourselves—Mother’s Day of Opportunity, wherein we can decide whether we will give our sons to save our Nation, or ourselves to save our sons.