THE WAY TO NATIONAL SALVATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23204, 31 May 1937, Page 7

THE WAY TO NATIONAL SALVATION

TO THE EDITOR Sir,—l much enjoyed the address which Mr James Begg gave to the members of the Victoria League last week and was much interested in his remarks regarding the impending decline in the birth rate in Great Britain and in this country. This is a matter of tremendous importance to the citizens of this Dominion. Mr Begg remarked that the way to national salvation lay in "good teeth and larger families." I have "excellent teeth" and my wife and 1 have a family of six, ranging in ages from five to 15. This has. of course, involved very considerable drain on the family purse. I was sorry that Mr Begg did not go further Would he explain why I have to pay sales tax eight times over as compared with the single man or woman and 400 per cent, more for the necessaries of. life than the " smart" childless couples who dwell in fiats. My wife, having made such a handsome contribution to the national welfare, has to toil from early morn till late at night, whilst thousands of her sisters in this city play golf and croquet during the day, attend smart sherry 5 o'clock parties, and chase after pleasure during the evenings. Will Mr Begg suggest what should be done? I have to provide

eight pairs of feet with footwear—and you know how prices pf, boots and shoes have risen—and, of. course, sales tax on these eight pairs. Mr Begg is a very practical man,s and I am sure that, as he recognises/ the .disaster for which the British > Empire: is heading for, he will tell me. through your columns, how -those similarly placed to myself can get a " fair deal." It is such as we who may save the British Empire from destruction. As I am an elector in Dunedin West, I would like to hear what our member, Dr M'Millan can suggest. I was not a supporter of Labour at last election, but, as my problem.' is a very vital one to. myself and family, as well as to hundreds of others in this electorate, my outlook on the political situation is open to adjustment—not merely from the selfish aspect (which is very important), but also from the national point of view. • • Whilst I am on the subject, perhaps some of our ministers of religion in the electorate might express their views from the Christian standpoint Although I use a nom de plume I am quite willing that you reveal ray name to either Mr Begg or Dr M'Millan or to a minister of religion if they wish to be satisfied regarding myself before replying.—l am. etc., Dunedin West.