MARRIAGE ON RELIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 39, 15 February 1934, Page 6

MARRIAGE ON RELIEF.

PROSPECTIVE BRIDEGROOM'S REASONS. (To the Editor.) I was considerably interested in your article dealing with the marriage of relief worker*. I confess I do not altogether agree with th® statement made by so many social workerg stressing that the reason for these marriages •lies in the desire to receive larger relief pay. I feel I can speak somewhat authoritatively on this matter, as I am a relief worker myself and propose to get married in a few weeks. Candidly, in the case of a number of my acquaintances and of myself, the reasons for taking this step are manifold. I may summarise them briefly as follows: (1) The fact that my experience and capabilities have placed me on the verge of a position as a driver several times —but "We must give preference to a married man." (2) The natural desire of both parties to be married before reaching the old age pension ,6tate. (3) The latent expression of whatever grains of optimism as -to the future are left to a person after a spell of relief work. (4) A means of belief in the adage that "two heads are better than one." (o) The desire fior more pleasant comradeship, less radicalism, and what one may perhaps call a larger outlook generally. Due credit is given in most cases to the intending wives, and thfe Christ-church, clergy man who remarked on their 'bright personalities will agree—l am. sure—that they certainly need them. BENEDICT. *_