W.D.F.U. Urge Steps Against Decreasing Births

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1944, Page 6

W.D.F.U. Urge Steps Against Decreasing Births

Discussion on the problems of New Zealand’s decreasing birth-rate, and methods of increasing the Dominion’s population took place at the Northland inter-provincial conference of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ union held in Whangarei. In a letter, the past Dominion president of the W.D.F.U. (Mrs C. K. Wilson) urged that the question be discussed by the conference.

A summary of the report adopted by the Dominion Settlement Association, read at the conference, stated that New Zealanders had deliberately kept their rich country underpopulated so that they might enjoy the highest standard of living in the world. To this end, immigrants, even of British stock, had been kept out. New Zealand had now come face to face with the fact that its shrinking population not only offered it no future but was a danger to its very existence, continued the ■ report. It has been estimated that, if the decline in birthrate continued as at present, by the end of this century the population would not greatly exceed that of 1840, when New Zealand became a British colony. The report urged that motherhood should be made more attractive by the institution of a motherhood endowment large enough to cover the whole expense of a child’s upbringing.

Relieve Home Worries

Speaking to the report, Mrs A. E. Harding (Dargaville) said that discussions on the question were taking place in women's organisations throughout New Zealand. Although immigration played an important part in increasing New Zealand’s population, the Dominion should have more houses and more families. The general trend of legislation was assisting to raise the population and had removed many disabilities previously facing the rearing of large families. With thousands of New Zealand servicemen overseas, it was only natural that the birth-rate was not increasing. If something was done to relieve home worries. New Zealand would have a better birth-rate, contended Mrs V. R. Osbaldiston (Waitemata). Mrs R. Hcnwood (Kaikohe) pointed out that it was obvious that the poor people had all the large families, while the wealthy, who had enough money to support large families, raised only one or two children.

State houses and flats were evidently built not to encourage couples to raise large families, Mrs N. Horrobin (Whangarei) stated. State houses and flats were usually cramped and contained only a small number of bedrooms. Mrs Horrobin moved that the Government be urged to build homes capable of accommodating larger families, the conference supporting her views. A second motion endorsing the sentiments expressed by Mrs Wilson and pledging the conference to do all within its power to assist in increasing New Zealand’s population, was carried unanimously. Brought forward by the Northern Wairoa branch, a motion that members of New Zealand’s merchant navy be granted the same petrol and train travel privileges as other branches of the forces, was carried. “New Zealand seems to be the only country which refuses to allow merchant seamen these concessions,” commented Mrs T. Aiken (Arapohue). As a part of the Government’s postwar reconstruction scheme, the conference decided to recommend the establishment of homecraft schools throughout New Zealand. A clause that military camps be suitably converted for the schools was deleted after discussion.

The Kawakawa branch had felt that the present shortage of housekeepers would be relieved by the establishment of residential nurseries in all large towns, but more especially the country centres, said Mrs N. A. Fraser (Kawakawa) when speaking to a motion to this effect. The conference decided to wait upon the Whangarei Borough and County Councils to urge the commencement of a residential nursery in Whangarei. The deputation appointed comprised Mesdames K. Bettesworth, N. Horrobin, N. A. Fraser, C. Smith and G. Robertson. Decision to ask the Government to provide suitable accommodation for teachers in a close proximity to their schools, provided several teachers were employed at the school, was made by the conference.

A motion brought forward by the Marsden branch, that at least three members of the committees of mixed schools should be Europeans, was defeated. members expressing the opinion that the adoption of the remit would raise the danger of race distinction. Pointing out that much time was lost by mothers in country areas visiting doctors in towns for the relief of Children’s ailments which could be effectively treated at medical clinics, the Northern Wairoa branch asked for the adoption of a motion that medical clinics be established in country towns throughout the Dominion and that the Government be asked to give a definite answer regarding their construction. The motion was carried.