THE FUTURE OF OUR RACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 2 April 1930, Page 10

THE FUTURE OF OUR RACE

(To the Editor)

Sir.—The only statement free from subterfuge and misrepresentation in "Darwinian's" defence is the fact that this controversy re the above subject has become overgrown. So after a very brief reply I, too, v. ill quit. "Darwinian" says that a few well-cared for children are better than many neglected. Well, who but an ass will deny that? I didn't suggest that twelve children should eat the food when there was only enough for six. What 1 did say was that the undesirables were having the largest families, while the financially, mentally and physically fit were having two, one, or lio children. Our correspondent should have made the number of an ordinary large family seventeen instead of>a paltry dozen. It would have made her case more interesting. "Darwinian" goes on to say that a man with a largo family is looked down on by society. Well, all I have to say is, '"God help Society!" I am inclined to look down on those who art' well able to support a family anil are intention ally having one or none. I am afraid "Darwinian's" knowledge in economics is rather limited when she states that work will not keep a large family. What on earth else do we rely on for our existence. Our friend's illustration of the good-natured sixteen stone giant being able to overpower the eight-stone bantam docs not apply in this mechanical age. The eight-stone bantam is able to turn a lever jftist as efficiently as the sixteon-stone giant. "Darwinian's" challenging trumpet is out of tune. I sadi nothing about an uncivilised people conquering a civilised race. What I did say was that England had to rely on her numerical strength or she would be swamped by an inferior race and let mo inform our friend that this is possible without one shot being fired by the enemy—and further, the conditions that obtain to-day which our friend applauds have preceded the downfall of practically all the great empires.—1 am. etc., VICTORIAN. Nelson, Ist April.

[This correspondence is now closed.— Eel. "The Mail".]