DON'T MAKE A HASH OF THE HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21736, 30 August 1932, Page 15

DON'T MAKE A HASH OF THE HOME

The most tragic thing which could happen to the British nation would be the breaking up of family life. Home is the most beautiful word in the language (says Lillie Ross Clyde in an ex change). Yet we have only to read of the many domestic tragedies in our papers to realise with regret upon what a tiny thread many of our homes to-day depend. A judge said not long since that a man should not take his wife too literally when she told him "to go," and, I presume, he would give the same advice to a wife if she were told to " clear out," as we often read of her being told to-day. It must be borne in mind, however, that it is not usually the first order which is obeyed, and when the words are first uttered they are rarely ever meant. More often than not the person who gives the order for the other to quit means little or nothing by it. Yet the words have a knack of hurting for all that, and when heard too often a climax comes.

Nothing brings any of us to such a reckless state of abandonment as does the knowledge that .we are no longer wanted by those who are near and dear to us.

Many a husband who has gone to another woman for sympathy has been driven there by his wife's persistent proclamation that she is " sick of the sight of him." Many a woman has taken her first weak and foolish step towards the final fall through her husband's habit of telling her to " pack up and go" every time they ha.'c the least difference of opinion. Disagreements between two people always living together are only natural. They help to keep the mental balance of both man and wife, but their varied views need not be barbed with unkind and untrue wishes to get rid of uat'h other.

There is absolutely no truth in the old saying—" Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." The tongue, like the pen, is mightier than the sword. It can cut and slash and cause such agonising wounds, which to many are absolutely unbearable.

The order "to go" should not be lightly given, for it is easier to drive those we love away than to win them back again!