Increasing The Birthrate

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 255, 25 July 1944, Page 4

Increasing The Birthrate

Sir, —I would like to add my voice with that of "Only a Mother.” .She has expressed the thoughts and feelings of hundreds of mothers very aptly, for I think they all agree that “help" in the home conies first. We women receive Parliamentary representation that is nowhere in proportion to our voting strength, and not till we nominate and solidly support candidates from our own sex shall we secure the consideration that is due to us. We cannot expect men to understand what help in the home really means —the alleviaiton of those frayed nerves, backaches and heavy responsibilities of the mother who dares not become ill because she knows there is no one available to take her place. The maternity benefit is certainly one step in the right direction, but to make it a real benefit there should be a rest home for every mother to go to for at least another fortnight after her confinement. Also efficiently trained help should be available in her household during the entire period of her absence, and for a further period after her return, the length of which should be- governed by the number in her family. In order to help solve the problem of employment that must arise when the war is over, the Government, through the Manpower Department, should see that suitable girls are given expert training in housekeeping and mothercraft, qualifying in examinations and winning diplomas. This trained army of highly efficient, capable helps would belong to the professional classes and would have a definite social status. Their salaries should be paid by the State, and their work should form part of the general social services, as no ordinary family could possibly afford to pay for such services. Give us adequate help and proper housing conditions, and there will be no shortage of babies in the future. —I am, etc., ANOTHER MOTHER. Wellington, July 21.