VICE-REGAL PARTY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20901, 16 December 1929, Page 9

VICE-REGAL PARTY.

VISITS TO HOSPITALS. WAKARI AND REDROOFS INSPECTED, The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) and Lady Alice Fergusson paid informal visits on Saturday morning to the Wakari Sanatorium and the Redroofs Maternity Home, ->--hich is controlled by the Salvation Army.’ The .visit to Wakari was made at 10 o’clock, their Excellencies being accompanied by the Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) and the Mayoress, Mr W. E. S. Knight, Mr Garth Gallaway, and Mrs Marshall Macdonald, of the Otago Hospital Board. Dr Thomson (medical superintendent), Miss Muir (of the Hospital staff), and Or H. L. Tapley. During their tour of the beautiful grounds of the hospital and the wards, their Excellencies were also accompanied by Dr C. E. W. Lyth (director of sanatoria under the control of the Hospital Board) and Miss Valentine (matron of the_ Wakari Hospital). There were 43 patients in the hospital, and in order that more time could be spent with the inmates their Excellencies declined morning tea. They chatted with each patient, showing a keen interest in the cases and offering a few words of sympathy and encouragement. In one of the shelters visited by her Excellency were two male patients, one of whom owned a crystal wireless set. The other inmate expressed regret that he, too, was not able to “listen in,” and her Excellency showed her sympathy by informing him that she would immediately have a crystal set sent to him. 1- ■ to Redroofs, where they were met by Brigadier Roi (head of the Women’s Social Department) and Field-major Tweed (the matron). Here, too, their Excellencies chatted with each patient, and they expressed admiration of the work which was being done and the beautiful surroundings of the home. Their Excellencies showed particular interest In the nursery. Their Excellencies posed for photographs on leaving the home, and were then met by a party of girls from the Salvation Army Home at Anderson’s Bay. The girls, after singing the National Anthem, rendered two appropriate songs of farewell and cheered the visitors, his Excellency congratulating them on their singing and chatting to them for a few minutes. As their Excellencies drove away they were again cheered by the children, who sang “Will Ye No Como Back Again," MOTHERHOOD AND FAMILY LIFE. FUNCTION IN SAVOY. ADDRESS BY HER EXCELLENCY. MOTHERS’ UNION AND LEAGUE OF MOTHERS. The beautiful Tudor Hall and Warwick Boom of the Savoy were well filled on Saturday afternoon, when Lady Alice Fergusson was the guest of the Mothers’ Union and the Otago Provincial branch of the League of Mothers. Her Excellency is the Dominion president of the former organisation and founder and Dominion president of the League of Mothers. There was an attendance of over 500 ladies from both organisations. Mrs C. E. North presided. The platform was conveniently placed between the two halls, and the speakers were assisted in making themselves heard by means of the use oi loud speakers. Mr* North, in opening the meeting and welcoming the guest)- of the afternoon, expressed the pleasure of everyone present at having the opportunity of meeting Lady Alice Fergusson, whose unfailing devotion and high ideals bad been such a great help to the two organisations represented that day. In assuming the Dominion presidency of one and founding the _ other she had set an example of Christian womanhood to the women '£ New Zealand which would keep her name revered in this country long after she had left it. The speaker, referring to the aims and ideals of the Mothers' Union, said it was a terrible thing that between 80,000 and 90,000 children in New Zealand were growing up without any religious teaching whatever. This was a state of affairs which should not exist in a country such as New Zealand, and the Mothers’ Union and its kindred society, the League of Mothers, were endeavour.ng to, get at. the root of the trouble by doing their utmost to inculcate in the mothers of the Dominion the dssire to see their children ffrowinjr up With a love for the greatest and highest things of life. Her Excellency in her high estate was herself a mother, and at such a time as the present, when she was soon to leave for Home, it was fitting that they should rejoice with her in the reunion with her family which would take place on her return. And although vi™ E '? Ce } len J C3r -7 ould eoon be awa y New Zealand it was with great joy that fpr d . tb l nb , of tbe Sympathetic interest she had taken in the work and “tUP 64 * a *® l *tance sbe had always given. a speaker then called upon Mrs Ashby, whom she described as the youngest mother present, to present her Excellency with a beautiful bouquet. PRESENTATION OF ADDRESS. Following this tribute came an address read by Mrs Fulton and handed to Lady Alice Fergusson by Mrs Richards. The text ot the address was as follows: To her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson (Dominion president of the Mothers Union, founder and DoMothe n rs) P . reSldent ° f tfae League of th ? “““*«« of the Mothers 1 Union and the League of Mothers, deto K re et you, our honoured president, on the occasion of your farewell visit to our city of Dunedin We wish to express our sorrow at your retirement from the presidency of our sister organisations and our deen sense of gratitude for all you have acfand* IS^ed r m °t- berß of our .By y°“ r unfailing devotion and high Ideals of service you have inspired us to realise our responsibilities to the young mothers and to the rising generation in this Dominion: you have given us a sense of union and a strength to carry out those ideals. In the midst of the onerous duties of your high office you have proved that yj> ur hear t is with us in our united , , *° secure spiritual foundations of family life, on which alone the true glory of our race depends. i 6 *hank God for the great powers al } c ; S>“ s He has entrusted to you, which you hare used unsparingly in all your labour for the people of New Zealand. May He bless and preserve you and yours, holding you now and ever in His holy keeping. Pleasing vocal interludes were provided by Miss Pratt and Mrs J W Smeaton. HER EXCELLENCY’S SPEECH, Her Excellency, at the commencement of ter short address, thanked those present jjr the wonderful way in which they had attended the meeting. It was a great pleasure to find the two societies combining in this way, working together in a spirit of mutual help and understanding. Most of those present knew what a great work had been undertaken by the two organisations, but she did not think it would be out of place for her to make a special plea for increased support. It was the duty of every member to do her utmost to advance the aims of the societies. It should not be left to organisers and executive heads to carry on the work. All the members should realise that it was their own per sonal responsibility to see that the cause progressed. In the’ present case, however, she was quite sure that the foundations of the movement were too sure for it to Buffer. It would flourish only so long as it was wanted, however, and they should remember that it would be wanted only so long as the mothers of the country realised the need of the highest ideals «nd principles in family life. Her Excellency went on to speak of the world-wide conference of the movement to be held in London next year, and she expressed great pleasure at the information she I had received that day that Dunedin was | to be represented there. Such a convcn-

tion could be relied upon to do a great amount of good, and she felt sure that all who attended would derive benefit. The speaker then went on to deal with the work of the two societies. She had recently addressed a small Maori branch of 10 members, through the medium of an interpreter. This tiny organisation had done a great deal of good, and two more were now ready to start operations. The more she saw of the work being done and the more she observed the social conditions existing to-day the more she was convinced of the paramount importance of home life and motherhood to the community. Everything depended upon home life and early associations, and if the child’s foundations of knowledge and principles were firmly enough laid in early years they would be too strong to be easily dislodged in later years. On the surface there might be changes in thought and viewpoint, but the actual principles and differences of right and wrong would remain substantially the same through life. They heard a lot to-day about modern youth and its tendency towards frivolity and pleasure, but they were not primarily concerned about how far such tendencies had developed. What should be of greater importance, and what everone present should ask herself was, were they honestly doing their utmost to put the best things before their children? Were they en<*ejlYoUr|nK to foster in the children that old-fashioned sense of duty about which far too little was heard these days? It was up to mothers to see that their children were not allowed to grow up without the realisation that there were other things in life besides their own happiness and comfort. They_ must learn their duty to others. Education along the lines of literature and cultural arts was among the greatest needs of the young people, not purely the academic type of educahut the familiarity with such things w j j could he relied upon to broaden and develop the mind as an offset to the glamour of frivolity. This was one of the most important factors militating against lack of balance with which young people were sometimes charged. There was one point in this connection which she felt she must stress. Mothers should realise the great importance of teaching in the home. It should not be left to the church or the school entirely. It was far better kept in the home as much as possible. Many women made the mistake of thinking they were not fitted to teach their children with the result that the work was delegated to others. She always remembered .what she had once been told by a woman at Home . had had great experience with girls schools, that bad or indifferent teaching at home was better than the best at school. The moulding of the child mind at the earliest possible period in life was undoubtedly the work of the mother, and if all standards, spiritual or otherwise had their birth in maternal teaching they could be relied upon to withstand the stress of life. If there were any women in the room not teaches their children, she fervently hoped that they would make a start now. They should not allow themselves to be deterred by doubts concerning their fitness. It could not be done more effectively than by the mother. In the teaching, however. they should encourage the children to reason things out for themselves. She would not like any son or daughter of hers to take everything on trust from her. She would like them to think their way into their religion and their principles. By so doing their first ideals were likely to prevail in later life. This should certainly be the aim of home training. But there was another aspect of home teaching that was equally important. s kioul(i be able to convince their children of their own whole-hearted belief in the ideals and principles they were teaching. Continuing, her Excellency said that membership in these societies was not merely a matter of conforming to rules and regulations. In- working for the uplift and help of mothers and family life generally everyone had her own responsibility, and all endeavour should be determined by the particular circumstances by which they were confronted. The societies represented there that day depended for their success, however, on one great basic need —the maintenance of tbeir spiritual .strength. Each in its own way had to work for the education of mothers on a religious and spiritual i B i?‘ ,The mothers of the country had tr> be shown that Christ and 'humanity were one. They could not afford to have the work of the societies divorced or diatiuct from, religion. The spiritual and practical sides of the work should go hand in band. There was one great need in the family life of to-day—a spiritual need—and it was the work of the Mothers Union and League of Mothers to educate the public up to the need of religion in the home life of the young. It was a terrible thing that there should be between 80,000 and 90,000 children ln ,. ■ w « e Mand growing up without any rehgious beliefs or ideals. In conclusion, her Excellency said that although she was going away in about six weeks, she would never forget the work in .New Zealand, nor would she ever Jose interest in it She was glad to think that she had been of help to them, and though she would be far away, sne would be continually thinking of them and wishmg them every success.— (Applause.) Ihe formal part of the proceedings was brought to a close by Bishop Richards. who pronounced the benediction. ihe meeting then adjourned for after•oon tea. INSPECTION OF GIRL GUIDES. „ . L . A, lice Fergusson later inspected the Oirl Guides at the Queen’s Gardens She was accompanied by the Mayoress (Mrs K. b. Black), and was met on her arrival by the Commissioner for Otago and Southland, Mrs C, dc R. Andrews. The various troops of guides were drawn up for inspection on the Art Gallery side of the Gardens, and later filed past the Soldiers’ Memorial, on the steps of which her Excellency took the salute. CHURCH SERVICES ATTENDED. Their Excellencies had a day free from public engagements yesterday. In the morning they attended divine service at First Church and in the evening at St. Pauls Cathedral. REMAINING ENGAGEMENTS. The following are the details of the programme for the remaining days of the visit of the Vice-Regal party to Dunedin: MONDAY. 10 a.m.—Vjsit to one of the schools of the Dunedin Fred Kindergarten Association. 11 a.m. —Visit Ross Home. 3 p.m.—Visit Red Cross Home, and while there inspect the members of the Junior Red Cross assembled in grounds. 7A5 p.m.—Hia Excellency to inspect St. John Ambulance Association Brigades assembled in grounds of First Church (allow half-hour), thence to Returned Soldiers’ Club, where it is suggested threequarters to one hour might be spent with members of Returned Soldiers’ Association and members of South African War veterans (combined), then short visit to Otago Officers’ Club, TUESDAY. Depart by north express at 11.34 a.m.