A DAY NURSERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 180, 2 August 1940, Page 4

A DAY NURSERY

Sir.—After reading in Wednesday’s j "Chronicle" the open letter addressed - j to the city councillors by "Mother of i ; Three," I feel that I must be only one 1 of the hundreds of mothers who know i that the pathetic story of a country | mother's shopping day is tragically true. Her day’s outing begins with a I hectic rush to feed and get away in j , various directions the father and older I members of the family; then another' superhuman effort to get herself and |

| perhaps two babies ready for the trip Ito town. As ' Mother of Three” points out, ■ the shopping list itself is often a formidable undertaking and would kee A . busy a woman with nothing else w I think of. Then the picture of the i weary little family’s return home must surely arouse a throb of sympathy i from all other mothers. What i.\ the next generation going Ito be if something is not done for these 'mothers? Our Government’s grandiose I building schemes are surely not mon ‘important than the provision of ado quate rest rooms, day nurseries and [creches in our towns ior the conveni[ence of the mothers who are handling 1 the Empire's most important job. i In some cases these same ovei 'worked country mothers are to be asked to do their share in increasing ' production by taking an extra man into their kitchen, so for seven days of [the week these important members | of ottr British Empire (the mothers) I will, of necessity, work at least a I fourteen-hour day. Now, Mr. Editor, I put forward a | plea to the women of your city to do [something about it. 1 wish to suggest | that if the city will provide a central [room and sympathetic women will ■help to furnish it with necessary rui- [ niture and some used toys, a "day nursery” in a small way. will be in existence at once. A small beginning, perhaps, but "the acorn produces tne i oak.” To man this nursery I wish to offei my services—say on Friday of each week—and I feel sure il the project I has your sympathy, many more [ mothers, and perhaps soldiers’ wives, ( will add their names to your list of willing helpers. I There is a war on. but still the peri sent-day mothers are of paramount ' importance.—l am. etc., "MOTHER OF SIX."