“MARRY OR RESIGN”

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 37, 7 November 1933, Page 8

“MARRY OR RESIGN”

It is probable that the humorous side of Signor Mussolini s order to all bachelors holding executive positions in the Fascist Party to “marry or resign” will be uppermost in the minds of those who tead to-day’s report of the Dupe’s latest order. But there is a serious side $ it as well, a side that touches very closely and profoundly the economic and social life of a nation. An increasing number of marriageable people of both sexes in British communities are eschewing the joys and sorrows of wedded life because of the sacrifices the “holy state” involves. If the pendulum were to swing the other way and marriage, as an institution should experience a revival of its one-time popularity, certain important social and economic results would immediately be felt in the community. When two people set up housekeeping they become either ratepayers or rentpavers and various tradesmen benefit by their custom. Multiply that to a substantial degree and the aggregate stimulus to local business and trade is very considerable. Furthermore, if the young wife has been in employment, a vacancy is created for someone out of employment. Single blessedness on a large scale is really a disturbing element to our economic equilibrium. Both in Italy and Germany the Fascist policy of encouraging marriage has a sound economic basis. There is nothing tyrannical about a law which tells a bachelor that if he wishes to enjoy the doubtful luxury of remaining single he must be prepared to pay for it. It is simply a practical means of helping to restore the equilibrium he and other bachelors have had a part in disturbing. From the social point of view the married man on the average is a better citizen, and a more responsible one, than the bachelor. If he has a family his contribution to the welfare of the State is in many ways far more valuable than the single man’s. On these grounds it has been claimed on his behalf that he is entitled to special privileges and concessions from the State. These are accorded to him both in Italy and Germany, the wherewithal being found by imposing a stiff tax on the bachelors.

A tax for bachelors in this country has frequently been mentioned. Most people will say that we arc taxed heavily enough as.it is, but it should be remembered that the heaviest burden of our taxation falls on the married man. This is not a Fascist country, but we do not need to be Fascists in order to be able to see the inherent merits of Signor Mussolini’s vigorous “marriage drive.”