THE BIRTH RATE PROBLEM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23200, 26 May 1937, Page 15

THE BIRTH RATE PROBLEM

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Since a report has been issued by a commission investigating these matters, there has been a great commotion through the press, especially by the heads of the various religious organisations. I have read many of these statements, but in no case do I see anything that touches the root of the trouble. The real cause is mainly that in a land which could provide economic security to everyone, the 'position is the very opposite. Even to-day, with the increase in pro-

duce values and general business improvement, young people cannot look forward to any lengthy period of employment. So we find a great body of young men of marriageable age absolutely afraid to take up the responsibilites of a home. As Nature takes no notice of whether times are good or bad is it any wonder that the moral tone of the people is slipping? That the question is an Empire one, as well as a moral one, is not questioned, so in self-preservation, if from no higher motive, economic security must be the first objective of both church and State. If these organisations refuse to face up to this issue there is no other attitude for the general public to take up than that both have lost their punch, and must be estimated at their true value—that is, a lot of arrant "humbugs."—l am, etc., ' Observer.