DECREASE IN THE BIRTH-RATE

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23131, 21 September 1940, Page 17

DECREASE IN THE BIRTH-RATE

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —I appreciate the efforts of Mr MacMillan and other correspondents in placing th'eir opinions on the above vital question before your readers. I have, nevertheless, been surprised to And that in no instance have they set forth a reason which in my opinion transcends that of any other. Any doctor could undoubtedly tell us exactly the age when the human species attain the natural stage of procreation. If we would take the period of> time that elapses from this stage to marriage we would find that the greatest sabotage to potential life takes place then, even if no unnatural practices are indulged in. Why, in Heaven’s name, cannot we so arrange that natural forces will prevail for the preservation of the human race? We socalled civilised races are the most decadent in this respect. Even the most backward minds are now aware that we have been living in an age of potential physical abundance for a considerable time, and so our present (economic order should not be allowed to stand in the way. I have no fear the young would not do their part if the way were open to them. The need of legislative regimentation would not arise under a sane economy. Even a tribe of monkeys existing under conditions of plenty would know exactly how to go about it. —Yours, etc., D. NICHOLSON. September 19, 1940.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —In reply to Mr McMillan I deny that I was wrong in suggesting that the doctors opposed the scheme for maternity benefit brought about by the Government, for he now admits that the original scheme was opposed by the doctors. But he has failed to state that there are a few doctors who still refuse to operate under the new scheme brought into operation from October 1 under the provisions of the Social Security Amendment Act, 1039, and it is obvious that certain major differences still exist, as witness the interview by representatives of the British Medical Association with the Minister for Health on September 17. I am pleased to stand corrected that members of the medical profession had. at the Abortion Commission (referred to by Mr McMillan) advocated control of the sale of contraceptives and criminal abortionists, yet it surprises me to learn that legislation could not be brought about to force convictioss on such a serious menace within the community. My real objective in my original letter was seriously to combat the stupid statements made upon different occasions by certain medical men and others that economic conditions were not a serious factor in a declining birth-rate. I feel confident that Mr McMillan will readily support my contention that economic conditions are a factor, and probably a more serious one than the use of contraceptives, etc.—Yours, etc.,

J. HILL. Hundalee, September 19, 1940.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —With your permission I should like to add a little more to “Wake Up New Zealand’s” letter regarding the declining birth-rate. I am sure there are hundreds of couples throughout New Zealand who desire to have families but have been denied them. I could name several young couples in my own town who I know would like children of their own but have to be satisfied with hearing proud young mothers extolling the virtues of their children and pitying the childless ones.

I should like to see a clinic set up under the social security scheme, where wives who have been denied a family could interview a competent doctor and undergo an examination which may reveal where the cause lies and have it adjusted. I am satisfied that if something of this nature were adopted we should find the birth-rate going full steam ahead in no time and a - lot more happy and contented couples, once they were blessed with children.—Yours, etc., DEEDS NOT WORDS. Methven, September 17, 1940.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir,—l beg to differ from Dr. Dickson on the falling birth-rate, in that ways and means should be made available to prevent the national suicide of the European race now in possession of New Zealand. ,H we were a people worthy of the trust reposed in us by the Maori chiefs who signed the Treaty of Waitangi, wc, as a race, should live; but we have failed miserably, both politically and socially, and therefore should accept our lot as a dying race philosophically. We know that the Maori birth-rate is about 43 a 1000 while our own is approximately 16. In a few years we shall be able to hand back to the Maori people their Ao-tea-roa, denuded of its bush, overrun with deer and rabbits, its native birds culled or destroyed, and with a first-rate mortgage on the land. We fail because our womenfolk, witn me exception of “Catholic Mother’ and a small percentage of her kind, who are looked upon as “socially inefficient, arc developing into a_ race of winebibbing, cigarette-sucking, gay partygoers, whose children, when any do come, cannot be born healthy and strong. It is better that there should be no children than a race bred from such women. —Yours, etc.. Y. T. von SPIDERWEB. September 20, 1940.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir—Some correspondents have said that the main reason for the declining birth-rate is an economic one. mat is quite so, but there is another and deeper side to this question. I do not refer to married couples not having more children, but to single women who will not marry. The average single woman is on such a good wicket these days that she has very little intention of forsaking such a position for the less spectacular role (to her) of motherhood. Take the Civil Service, for example. Many single women teachers in the twenties are earning as much as, if not more than, married men in the same profession. Women procure A grade jobs on a worse mark than do men; Many young women earn from £2O to £2O a month net. Subtract board, say £6, and they are left with £l4 to £2O. Not so the married man. Rent £6, food, fuel, clothing, etc., for wife. self, and family. Note the difference. _ May I suggest possible remedies?' First, increased marriage and family allowances increased income tax exemptions. Second, increased taxation for single women. Third, better medical attention.—Yours, etc.. UNIVERSAL.

September 20, 1940. [Subject to the right of reply of "Proud Father” this correspondence is now closed.—Ed.i “The Press.”]