THE BIRTH-RATE.
— r \ ' 'According to the Public Health report (which was presented to Parliament last night), the average number of children to a marriage in-Now Zealand is still on tho decline.'Last year the proportion of births to every marriage, solemnised in the preceding year was- 3.21, while for .1907 it was 3.15.' "Whatever wo may think of this almost universal "decline in the birth-rate," remarks Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, "I confess I see- no' way-ill which' the '■ State, can in-, terfere to, check it. Commissioners have sat in various parts of tho world and discussed tho subject in .all its phases. Voluminous reports have been written, hut it has:'all geen as a beating of the wind. To my mind the remedy.is not to bo found in reports, but' in a national awakening and. an increase in patriotism. All sorts of cures have been advocated—such as grants of land to parents having over a certain number in tho family. I have Tittle faith in such remedies. But if the loss to the State through the lessened advent bo outside practical politics, the conservation of tho health arid strength of tho children born is not so. Much has been done both by tho Stato. and private associations, but still the awful wasto continues."
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Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 11
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212THE BIRTH-RATE. Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 322, 8 October 1908, Page 11
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