THE BIRTH HATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13077, 13 September 1904, Page 6

THE BIRTH HATE.

10 THE EDITOR. Sir,—l havo watched with deep interest tho various reports on (lie falling birth rate. I have read with amazement and indignation the various statements. First, wo have a divino in Australia advising tho inereaso of illegitimate children, and that the mothers of such children wcro to bo treated with as much care, and respect as tho legally married mother. Yo gods! is this tho teaching of a Christianised country? I expectcd that man would havo been devoured through tho press. 1 thought—or was I dreaming?~that there was a social purity society in Dunodin. Not ono pen was raised in defence or protection of our young women's morality. Instead, wo havo our Premier raising his strong voice on nearly tho same lines, with the divinely-inspired Council of Churches backing him up; and, what is worse still, ino AVoraen's Christian Union approving also, with a slight variation. They don't approve maternity homes increasing; but why did they approve of even ono of such institutions, which I maintain aro a disgraco to a city like Dunodin! It is a liboi on iho biggest majority of tho women to say they aro pleased with Mr Soddon's bill in its .entirety. And I am in ft position to provo what I say, in spito of Church Councils or Women's Christian unions. Might I suggest as an amendment that all inmates of such an institution should bo compelled to givo tho father's name, such name to bo posted up in a pubh'o place, and whether lie be a, single or a married man. Sir, with your kind permission I would liko to have something further to say on midwifery and nursin" I am, etc., ° September 9, JJ