MOTHERS' UNION

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, 10 April 1926, Page 4

MOTHERS' UNION

NEW ORGANISATION TO RAISE STANDARD OF LIFE HER EXCELLENCY EXPLAINS OBJECT (By Telegraph. —Special to “Times.”) AUCKLAND, April 9. “To do for the lives and characters of the children what the Plunket Society does for their bodies.” 1 was the phrase in which. Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson summed up the objects of the new mothers’ organisation of national scope which she has initiated at Auckland. “Remembering that the»foundations of national glory are laid in the homes of the people,” Her Excellency has placed herself at the head of this new' organisation to raise the standard of home life and she, herself intends to work fo rits extension at - a series of throughout New Zealand. There is to he no rivalry with the existing Mothers’ Union of the Anglican Church as Lady Alice made clear in her opening address. OPIGIN OF iIODY Her Excellency said: “The Mothers’ Unibn was originated in England in the year 1876 hy a small band of women interested in Christian training and upbringing of their children. K developed rapidly into a large BCurch of England organisation, and at the present date has, with its overseas branches, a menfbershio of over # 400,000. In 1892 a union was established in Scotland on exactly the same lines and ib affiliated with the' Church of England Union, hut is undenominational in character. It_ is open to members of all Christian churches This branch has also a wide membership, and the two unions work in complete harmony. “An explanatory leaflet describes the Mothers’ Union as an association of, Christian mothers who take their responsibilities seriously, who have at heart the welfare of their children and who desire to bring them bp to I e true servants of God and citizens of the Empire. The late Lady Glasgow, when at Government House in New Zealand from 1893 to 1897, organised a Mothers’ Union in the Dominion .o*l the same undenominational lines as in Scotland. In later years its character was altered and it is now, as in England, practically a Church of England organisation. In that form it is well established' and flourishing and it would bo undesirable to alter its organisation. It is suggested that a sister union should now be formed on Scottish • lines, undenominational, and with workers drawn from all ohurches. In this ,way it would be possible for all mothers in New (Zealand to unite in a world-wide organisation with com- 1 moot aims, pledged to certain definite objects in upbringing of their children, bound together by a common prayer and by a fixed endeavour to maintain a high standard of home life.

CONTROLLED BY WORKERS “It is particularly desired that this should be an organisation of lay workers and that it should in no way become an additional task for clergymen, lor their wives, to undertake, though their support and sympathy would be sought and welcomed. The organise* tion would he bv districts under a president and hy local branches under .vice-presidents, the whole administered by . a central council. There would.be month 1} meetings addressed hy selected speakers.on various subjects connected with the moral, religious and physical upbringing of children. “Meetings, however, are only one method in view which, together with the disEC-mimtion-of useful literature, may interest mothers. The main object of the union is to give sympathy, advice and help to all motheri who are anxious to do their best to help, train and influence their children fojr good and to bring them up in Christian principles during years in which they are most impressionable. OF INESTIMABLE BENTFIT “To the question, is there a real need for such an organisation? The

Mothers’ Union in England and Scotland, and also wherever it has reached the community in New iZealand itself. It is unquestionable that the union has proved an inestimable benefit to those mothers who recognise the value of home influence, who are becoming more and more alive to their responsibilities in this respect and who are grateful for guidance, advice and moral strength whicji they gain from membership.” * Mrs Averil],, as president of the Auckland branch or the Mothers’ Union, welcomed the initiation of the movement to extend aims of the union among all mothers. She spoke from practical expedience of the benefits to be derived from such organisation. A large meeting of women unanimously tulopted Her Excellency’s suggestions, and active steps are now. being