HIGHER BIRTH-RATE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 173, 4 May 1943, Page 5

HIGHER BIRTH-RATE.

NEEO IN AUSTRALIA.

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) SYDNEY, May 2.

“Victory over tho Japanese would not alone save Australia from downfall,’’ declared Mr W. M. Hughes, who was Australia’s Prime Minister in tho last war, in an address on “Social Reconstruction After tho War.” The country would have no future unless the birthrate took a, sharp upward turn, he said. Families of three and four children must bo general in the future.

Mr Hughes described the problem of the falling birth-rate as a psychological and spiritual, as well as an economic problem. “Unless public opinion condemns as anti-sbeial the selfish outlook that children are a handicap and hamper a man’s career and pleasure, then childless couples will increase and Australia’s descent into the abyss will be swift and certain,” said Mr Hughes. Ho added that Australia must replace flats with homes and clear away slums as part of a plan to encourage large families. The money Australia was spending on the war showed that comfortable homes could be provided for everybody.

“Valiant and strong people are the only substantial assets in any country —not its natural resources or its great industrial enterprises,” he said. “As long as there are sufficient people inhabiting this country and their maractor does not degenerate, we shall emerge from any struggle triumphant. Otherwise we shall be speedily and surely pushed out by a more virile race.”