MOTHERS AND SONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 13

MOTHERS AND SONS.

ANNUAL REUNION BANQUET. SUCCESSFUL Y.M.C.A. FUNCTION. Intended primarily to strengthen the bonds between mother and son, the annual “Mother and Son” banquet held under the auspices of the boys’ division of the Y.M.C.A., has now become a prominent feature of the association’s activities, and this year’s banquet, which was held in the Y.M.C. gymnasium on Saturday night, gave pleasing evidence of the popularity of the function among the juvenile members of the association. There was an attendance of some 500 persons —250 proud boys, each accompanied by an equally proud mother—and, in an atmosphere of warm and jolly comradeship the evening passed off as such an evening should pass—brightly, and with an entire absence of formality or restraint. Mr H. P. Desmoulins, chairman of the boys’ division, occupied the chair. Following the honouring of the loyal toast, the assembly eat down to an excellent repast, at the conclusion of which Mr W. D, More addressed the boys briefly on “ Apron Strings.” No boy, said Mr More, liked to confess that he was tied to his mother’s apron strings, but, as he became older, he began to feel the tug of them becoming stronger and realise that “ apron strings,” after all, were not a thing to sneer at. There were one or two things that every boy should remember about apron strings. In the first place, every mother gave her boy a healthy body which it was his duty to keep clean; she gave him a clean mind, and in that mind no boy should hang pictures which he would be ashamed for his mother to see; and lastly, she gave him an honest heart which should enable him to meet every situation bravely. All these things—the Alpha and Omega of every boy’s life —came from apron strings. Boys, as a general rule, were apt to think that these apron strings were at times dragging too tightly, but they should remember not to tug against them too strongly, for one end was wrapped round their mother’s heart. “ Always remember boys,” said Mr More, in conclusion, “that even though you be 6ft tall, you are, in your mother’s heart, still her baby. She may at times appear to be over-captious; she may appear ‘ bossy but bear with her —this all springs from her wonderful love for you and a heartfelt anxiety for your welfare.” Mr More, at the conclusion of his address, was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. During the evening several choruses were sung and vocal and instrumental items were rendered by members of the boys’ division, the gathering being brought to a close with the concerted singing of “ Abide With Me.”