What social values does the author criticize in this story ?

Lawrence is critical of materialism, classism/social
standing, over-focus on upward mobility, a distant parenting style, shallow obsession
with appearances, greed, immaturity, irresponsibility, and ingratitude.  In the story,
these occur at personal traits in the parents and uncle due to social
values.

In the story, we encounter a whispering house, a
financially-strained family, an apparently supernatural solution to their financial
stress, the transmogrification of a rocking-horse into some sort of time machine, the
theme of greed versus generosity, dysfunctional family dynamics, the way a family avoids
the issues of a troubled child, and the self-sacrifice people of all ages are capable of
making for their loved ones.  Paul’s father is also absent from the story though not
from the family so we can take that as criticism of parents distracted by shallow
priorities.

The opening begins like a fairy tale:  “There
was a woman who was beautiful…”

Paul seems autistic or
epileptic much like saints (Lawrence may have written the story about a patron’s family
who had an autistic child.)

Paul martyrs himself in efforts
he feels will save his family, quiet the house, and secure luck and love.  Instead of
using the extra income to pay off debts, his mother squanders it and increases the
house's demanding voice and the pressure on Paul.

Another
reason for the inclusion of childhood themes could be to remind adult readers of their
responsibilities as parents.  For example, in Lawrence’s story, the mother is so
engrossed in her own wants that she cannot see her son’s legitimate needs.  She doesn’t
take the impact of her words into consideration or the possibility that a child can only
interpret them from his vantage point.

Caring parents, for
example, would reassure the child that both parents were indeed fortunate to have three
wonderful children and probably would have tried to address and relieve his worries
about money.  Bringing up the car issue and “filthy lucre” are cues that she just misses
or ignores as signs of his distress and uses instead to whine about being the poor
members of the family.  In fact, the whole discussion of luck is a way to let herself
and her husband off the hook for living beyond their means.