FAMILIES DISCOURAGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 5

FAMILIES DISCOURAGED.

—In a recent address Mr. Booth stresses tiie necessity for increased population. in Australasia, and has some unpleasant remarks to make about the womanhood of these countries. It may not be amiss to point out how little encouragement is given people of this land U have families. The chief disability suffered by a large proportion of those so rash as to have children is the difficulty of renting suitable homes. The first question asked by landlords in general of prospective tenants is " Have r you any children?" and an answer in the affirmative in these days of house shortage means another weary search, perhaps ending in the cheerless " furnished rooms with use of conveniences," in an overcrowded and unsavoury portion of the city. Our city fathers. .> too, appear to regard the possession or young children as a species of minor crime that should not bo made public, but should be carefully concealed in the homes until the infant is able to walk. I refer to the notorious fact that mothers living in the tram suburbs cannot carry prams on the cars. They must either tramp it into the city, pushing a pram, or else be burdened with & weightv infant during their periodic outings. 1 consider it an urgent necessity that provision of some sort should be made to meet such cases. It is not yet too late for parents and others interested to see that the councillors who secure their votes arc prepared to bring about some such humanitarian enactment. Young Mother.