LARGE FAMILIES.

Evening Star, Issue 20982, 22 December 1931, Page 1

LARGE FAMILIES.

s TO TUB BDITOK. Sir,—l have read with interest the letters in to-night’s ‘ Star,’ and I certainly' agree that under present-day industrial and social conditions it is a serious problem to maintain a large family. I also agree that married people should he encouraged to limit the number of their families, for the many reasons submitted. Reform, to be efficient, must always substitute the good for the bad; but no good purpose can be achieved by making insulting comment on persons who possess large families. “ Mother of Three ” would undoubtedly have commended herself had she confined her remarks to the general argument. “On Half Pay ” refers to his conversation with dozens of returned soldiers, all of_ whom (in regard to war) have said “ Never again.” Apparently he has overlooked the fact that where Conscription is the law of the State mothers with large families must he compelled to make the greatest sacrifice in time of war. Accordingly the State has a perfect right to assist persons with large families during times of peace to maintain a complete standard of respectability. “ On Half Pay ” asks why I do not adopt a few of the children of “ Proud Possessor of Twelve.” Simply because I am constructed the correct way and have amply demonstrated my ability in that direction. But I have been fortunate enough not to call on charity. “ Mother of None ” apparently applies intelligently the teaching of Dr Marie Stopos; or, on the other hand, she is not built like me, so there is no danger of her waxing fat. Accordingly' she will have no kick, and there will lie no need for my friend “ On Half Pay ” to present her with any of the gold medals which he refers to. “ E.W.F.” states that it was the large families by British, German, French, and other mothers that helped to make the insanity of 1914-18. _ He apparently has overlooked the views put forward by others, some of whom state that the capitalists were responsible. when he* says that it is the duty of all who possess a knowledge of methods for the prevention of large families to impart that knowledge to those whose circumstances warrant it.—l am, etc., Nil Despeeandtjm.: December 21.