MARRIAGE UNDER ADVICE.

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 253, 9 July 1926, Page 2

MARRIAGE UNDER ADVICE.

Three years and a half ago the Municipality of Vienna established a “marriage advice station,’’ the first of its kind in Europe to meet the problem created by the war of the increase in the number of people unfit for marriage. At this advice station the voting people who intend to get ntarrie’d are told whether their state of health gives them a right to marry and to have children, or whether it will be better to renounce marriage, or to wait till thev recover their health. It was not at all easy to enlist interest and confidence for'this bureau, but. the fact that it lias been accomplished is proved by the increasing attendance at the bureau (states "the Vienna correspondent of the "Westminster Gazette”). The physician inquires and examines, and also informs himself about the social conditions of the applicants. He tries first of all to win their confidence, so that thev may make a full disclosure without reserve, and often careful ex aminations must be made to complete the inquire. Then only docs the doctor give his verdict. There are, of course, no prohibitions of marriage What use would these be against the instinct of men and women? .Nevertheless the bureau has its value in encouraging delay. The clients of the bureau are mostly workmen. But former officers, actors, and other intellectual workers also resort to it. Many women come too Sometimes the betrothed couple come together, and this creates the most diffi cult problem for the medical advisers. Funds are now established in Vienna onlv for the healthv. through very smal’ weekly amounts. The advantages offered include, for instance l improve' 1 and cheaper foodstuffs, hygienic cloth ing at adequate prices, contrivances for ventilation and other livgienic require men's, and educational .advice for tin prevention of bodily and moral neglccof the voting Facilities for recreatin’ are also to he offered to the member" Tn .addition to phvs’ci.atis, architects professional tutors, and agricultural producers are invited to co-operate.