THE HELPING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF LARGE FAMILIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 79, 1 April 1908, Page 8

THE HELPING BY THE GOVERNMENT OF LARGE FAMILIES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A correspondent in your journal recently suggested that the Government should assist large families by providing a bonus for each child over a certain number. Not a bad idea, but what about those who have no families at all, and no prospect of ever getting married and settled through financial difficulties or -otherwise. Why not assist them? Also I noted in your correspondence column the suggestion that married men should be'paid a higher wage than single. That is not giving the single a chance to get a start in the matrimonial line. Don't believe in large -families myself, but believe that all should be assisted to have a home of their own in the wedded state, if they so desire. A working man with a large family these days of high rents and prices of the necessaries, is only a State slave; although, he imagines he is free. It would be far better if the Government were to "hold out inducements for couples to settle in life, by even a guarantee of work for a certain time should the necessity arise for the breadwinner. Candidly speaking, I am a great believer in the~establishment of properly conducted State matrimonial bureausj where hundreds could be brought together who would never have the chance otherwise, where the applicants for partners would have to prove who and what they were, etc. I fancy I hear a good many laugh at the suggestion, but we laugh at most new ideas for a start until we get used to them.— I am, etc., ARTHUR PICARD, New Plymouth, March 23, 1908.