The Declining Birth Rate

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 74, 21 December 1937, Page 13

The Declining Birth Rate

Sir, —A considerable amount has been written aud spoken by our social ami political leaders upon the decline of the birthrate and its attendant evils. Many are the reasons expounded for the cause of this trouble, and so numerous are the cures suggested that I ask you to publish a few words upon the matter for me. In spite of all that is said, it is the interest and joy of all good women to bear children to the man their love has chosen, but nowadays the first and greatest question that arrives before the second child is considered is: What will we do with the first?

The natural solution offered by grandparents and relations holds in only a very few eases. Most young couples marry and settle afield, and to them the problem is very real. Months of anxious waiting are before the expectant mother, and though she may hope to make provision at the expected time, she is for ever worried witli the very real fear that at any moment she may be called upon to make provision for her previous children while she enters a hospital for care or lias to rest up for one of many reasons. This uncertainty, I know from experience, is very real and to prove it more fully I cite my own case. Lately, at a moment’s notice, I was called upon.to make provision for my children, as my wife had to go into hospital for attention. I called on every organisation I could think of to overcome the difficulty. I considered cost no object if I could get help, but everywhere the answer was the same hopeless one. At last in despair 1 applied to an orphanage, and though one child was younger than they usually accepted, 1 was granted the great favour of having them admitted.

The cure is simple and does not rest in the cure of the domestic servant problem, but in the provision of homes for children. staffed with capable trained nurses and with a medical attendant. Such institutions should be wherever the population warrants and should be provided free of expense. This lesson should have been learnt by Mr. Nash while in Russia, where such homes tire provided, but apparently the simplicity of the example escaped one bent upon greater things. In conclusion, I contend that if something was done on those lines, and this uncertainty, wrought with a very real fear, removed from the lives of young couples, much social good would accrue. Children are needed by the State, and it is for the State to provide some small appreciation.— I am. etc.. A WORRIED PARENT. Lower Hutt, December _l7.