LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17099, 4 November 1929, Page 10

LEAGUE OF MOTHERS

i ~- i WELLMfGITON GATJiEfIING

! LADY FEBGUSSON FABEWELLED

J At thja Wellington Town Hall on Wednesday about 1000 members of the league of Mothers assembled to bid food- bye to Her Excellency Lady Alice 'ergusson, the .founder and Domiuipn president of the league Representatives of the "I]6 branches in Wellington province were .present, and the presidents and secretaries of these Ranches formed a guard of honor as Her Excellency entered the hall, where she was received by. the new Dominion president, Mrs. Elliott; the provincial president, Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, and the provincial secretary, Mrs. C. White. On the platform also was the Mayoress, Mrs. G. A. Troup. I' Dr. Elizabeth Bryson, representing Jjhe Wellington provincial district, said tljat the large meeting was sufficient testimony to' the place Her Excellency held in the members' hearts. Her message was first one 'of thanks for the existence of the league, for its vigorous growth and.future promise. All realm/id that that, had not been brought aJaout without a great deal of thought, Understanding and hard work. It was a, new venture, based on the organisation of the Mothers' Unions, but with one important ■difference. Both had a, well-defined religious background, but whereas the union was hounded by the confines of certain religious beliefs, the league was not so bounded. It was i founded on religion, yet entirely free to ihe churchgoer or the non-eliurch-igoer. It aimed to get Christianity be'hind all religious differences, and the difficulty was to guard against exclusive■ness and also indifference. In the at-, I tempt to get unity behind differences \ they had to thank Her Excellency, and her deep sincerity and open-mindedness made it possible. They thanked her (for starting them on a sure foundation. Then they' had to farewell her, which was hard. At present they could not visualise the league without her, hut rfi&y' hoped to grow and prosper. As wives and mothers, they were dealing with the very stuff of life, and everything that bore on" the child's* life was important. They must look forward, not backward, ©yen in saying good-bye, and all would unite in making the foundress proud of her work. AUGURY FOR FUTURE SUCCESS Mrs. Hancox, president of the largest country branch (I'almerston North), spoke on behalf of the country members who were unable to be present and yet wished to be associated in saying good-bye, and said they hoped, when Her Excellency came hack to New Zealand .she woald find the league even more donrishing. J: "Mrs. Ellioti," Wellington provincial priasident.-'saicj the gathering was an augury for future success. Her Excellerifcy had .been not only the founder, but the inspiration of the league, and had won the affeption and respect of all. Their main bbjpet was to maintain & Ilifh ata-Bdarel of family life, which was more than ever necessary in these days'. Mr£. Elliott then asked Her Excellency io accept a Bible bound in full brown morocco on behalf of the

league, in which was inscribed the pledge and prayers of the league. Her Excellency in reply thanked the leaguo fpr the gift, which, she said, she regarded as' a token of affection. She thanked the speakers for the many kind things said. The large gathering touched her very much as a pleasant proof of friendship. It was heartening to see how the league had grown in the three years of its' existence. It was easy to start a movement, but harder to carry it on, and she felt that the response shown justified the movement. The objects of the league were taken from the Mothers' Union, started in England in 1876, and which her own mother had helped to establish in New Zealand 30 years ago. That had begun with'smalj meetings of mothers for mutual help, and had since become world wide. A church society was not able to do the same work as others, and it was felt there was need for a society of wider scope. It had been decided to make the leaguo independent of any church. . The league tried to work directly through the homes, helping mothers to help each other by meetings, or when members could not attend, by the holding and keeping of the pledge. It did not fieek to take part in social reforms through political channels, however worthy those might bo. HOME* INFLUENCES It did its work by home influences. Those are different to what they used to be when the homo was the centre of the lives of the children until they were adult. Times had changed., and while changes might ,not bo for the it was necessary to realise that old methods might not fit new times, and could not bo applied to one's own children. But in accepting change her hearers should' see that they do not sacrifice those qualities and institutions which made the character of the nation. The Leaguo of Mothers must link the old with "the new, and see that, the best o/f the past was not lost. The ! league wanted parents to recognise that the euro foundation of a good home< and good character was the religion of Christ. Members had a duty to support their own •churches, but all paents needed to teach their children the religion of love, which was the religion of Christ.

Her Excellency said she had had a wonderful five years in New Zealand, madp happy by the warm kindness of everyone.' She had got to know many devoted workers in the league, and made ifriends. At the conclusion of the afternoon, the whole assembly joined in singing "Auld Lang Syne." and wishing Her Excellency "God Speed." The National Anthem pon.eluded the gathering, which will lonsr b 0 memorable to members of the league.

Tho Bible which Lady Alice Fargusi<n\ roceivpd contained an inset leaf on the front page of which was an appropriate illuminated, inscription and a charming miniature sketch of New Zealand coastal scenery. The reverse side of the leaf was ornamented with a Maori scroll decoration, and the aims, and objects of the league were sot out in illuminated script—Dominion.