GRAVE CONCERN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1937, Page 7

GRAVE CONCERN.

ITALY'S BIRTH-RATE

"Problem of Problems" Before Fascist Council. SEVEN-POINT PROGRAMME. United Press Association.— Copyright. March 4. Hie firanil ( ouncil mot f.>r the second time at 10 p.in. yosterda.v ami adjourned at 1 :ir, a.m. to day. Jt is to meet again • >ri Sat urda v. A colli 111 1111 i<|iK- -tales that after listen ing to Nignor Mu—i>lirii's report on the liirtii rate the eoiineil approved tlie loliow in" seven- point programme:— (ll Preference to lie given to fathers of largo families in the matter of employ ment. ( —) A policy of family wages to Ininstituted making incomes proportion ate to the liurdens of families as a whole. (.'() A revision of tlie present measures for encouraging largo families so as to ensure a steady standard of li vino for such fa in ilies. (4) The institution of marriage loans, endowments and insurances for young workers. (.">) The establishment of a national association, the memliers of which shall lie fathers of laroe families. (•>) A revision of provincial and com munal boundaries in order to suppress communes where the aged and declining population no longer needs the benefits of public institutions. (7) 'I ho creation of a central organisation for the control of the propagation of the (mvornmerit's policy for a higher birth-rate. The communique adds: "The council solemnly recorded that the birth-rate problem, being the problem of life and its continuation, is really the problem of problems, for without life there is no youth, military power, economic expansion or secure future for the Fatherland."