MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19328, 15 May 1926, Page 6 (Supplement)

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.

They sat near mo in a little restaurant \*hore I was lunching the other day one a good-looking woman of middle age, the other n girl with the fresh prctttnesa l of youth, says a well-known writer. Both , | were shingled and smartly dressed. Obpiously they wore mother and daughter. I could not help overhearing snatches of thoir conversation. Evidently they were both workers, and they exchanged the morning's business experiences with easy frankness. The older woman told of a talk with the head of the firm which seemed to promise early promotion for the younger. When the meal was finished each took out a purse to pay her own share of the bill, which the waitress had made out on ono check. Some laughing badinage followed as to the exact change, the girl gaily declaring: " It means that you must owe me a shilling or I must owe you sixpence. I'd rather owe you sixpence." Mother settled tho point by producing sufficient change in coppers, which the daughter pocketed with a little smile of mock dismay.

Altogether it was a peep into a cheery comradeship, with community of interests, self-respecting independence and a verv excellent basis of understanding.

It set me thinking of the much-criti-cised relationship between mothers and their up-to-date daughters. Undoubtedly there exists a type of twentieth century girl who looks upon her mother as a worthy " back number" ; but I doubt if she is often found where there is genuine camaraderie of work.

Where an elder woman has gained a responsible position in any profession or business in which a younger is an aspiring novice, there must surely be a groundwork of great respect and emulation. Some young actresses are following in the footsteps of famous mothers, who are able to give them a start on the right road, and who supply in their own success an incentive to hard work and ambition. In business the same thing often holds good, and surely it must do so more and more as women take their places in every branch of activity. A sensible comradeship in work will supply a link of love between mother and daughter, as firmly cemented as between a sympathetic brother and sister or husband and wife. And with their mother's achievements as an example, girls will work steadily and cheerily to follow in their tracks, glad of a helping hand, though eager to maintain independence. " John Jones and Son," is familiar enough over many a business house. Before the century is much older, may we not see. " Jane Jones and Daughter?" Initiative and fellowship are not restricted to the male sex. Jane Jones junior may ehangj her name, as brother John would not do; but Jane Smith in private life could still be " and Daughter," for business purposes. Why not?