‘OUR BEST ARRIVAL.'

Evening Star, Issue 20558, 9 August 1930, Page 15

‘OUR BEST ARRIVAL.'

TO THE EDITOR. Sir—Dr Valentine, Director General of Health, in his annual report, deplores tho falling birth rate of Mew Zealand. He says: “Our best arrival is tbo infant born in New Zealand.’’ As one deeply interested in the welfare of women and children, I would like to ask what is being done by the counti'y for these infants that Dr Valentine mentions. Take tho present position in this city,, where babes are born into Tireless homes, and the only covering for tho “ best arrivals ” is that provided by a kindly church sister. Take tho case of a mother, who in order to secure food for her babe is forced to pawn her wedding ring, or again tho mother who sends her children to school ill-clad and almost bare-footed, and welcomes them at dinner hour with love and an empty larder. _ Why do these conditions exist? Simply because the fathers, who in most cases are willing and anxious for work, are unable to obtain it. Before demanding an increase in the birth rate, let us provide employment for tho husbands, and decent homes for the mothers and children. Tho Director-General can confidently talk of increasing the birth rate when our unemployment problem js solved, bub until that desirable goal is reached ho should prefer rather to preach the doctrine of Marie Stopes.—l am, etc., Obseevek. August 8.