“HAPPY BANQUET”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 497, 29 October 1928, Page 14

“HAPPY BANQUET”

MOTHERS AND SONS address by archbishop I have not seen a happier looking banquet in my life,” said Archbishop Aver ill in speaking to about 300 mothers and sons at the Y.M.C.A. on Saturday evening, when a banquet was held to which members of the boys’ division of the Y.M.C.A. had invited rheir mothers. Abraham Lincoln had said, "Whatever I am or whatever I hope to be I attribute to my saintly mother.” Archbishop Averill believed all men would say the same thing if asked, but it was hardest to give expression to the things felt to be most sacred. Every rime a man would admit that his best friend, his best helper, was his mother. “Remember you have only one mother and do not forget her sacrifice. Even our very existence meant her sacrifice, and the best lessons you have learned, which will stand you in good stead through life, are those learnt from your mothers. “Mothers, I believe yours is the greatest opportunity in the world. You can get nearer your children than we fathers, and the influence you have over them in their early days is never lost. I assure you the thing we men carry with us to the day of our death is the thought of mother and her sacrifice. • Boys, toast your mothers —they always play the game, and mothers, do not be afraid of a little sacrifice for your boys as well as your girls. You are casting a shadow upon them which will last for ever. I am proud to stand here as a man and say that a boy’s greatest friend and best is his mother.” Many toasts including “Mother—our best friend” and “Lad” were honoured. The sing-songs were conducted by Mr. R. H. Horsley. Items were given by Mrs. Rattray, songs: Mr. N. Kemp, violin eolo; Mr. N. Tate, juggling; Mr. Alan McElwain, humour. The evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.”