RACE PROBLEM

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5595, 22 March 1943, Page 2

RACE PROBLEM

DISCUSSED BY FARMERS REMIT TO CONFERENCE The problem of New Zealand’s declining birth-rate was discussed at the annual meeting of the Te Awamutu Farmers’ Union on Friday night, when it was decided to forward the following remit to the Sub-Provincial Conference:— “ That, as children are not only the best but cheapest immigrants, and human beings are the greatest asset of any land, and as the future population of New Zealand by New Zealand-born is not assured, this Conference urgently requests immediate investigation of the economic,, social, and commercial reasons for the decline in birth-rate, investigation for the reason for increased cost of birth, the maintenance, including housing, clothing, and feeding, and the health preservation of children. Their education on lines that will lead to good citizenship, and mental, physical, and moral well-being. The necessary steps . to put the standard of living of families with children, however large, on at least a parity with that of childless families. Vigorous education of the public by all means available as to the importance of children to parents, the community, and the nation as a whole. The responsibilities of marriage, the honour and respect due to parenthood, and the dignity of the matrimonial state.”

In moving the remit, Mr A. E. Bryant referred to anomalies in family benefits. Under the Social Security legislation a man with six dependent children, if he earns only £6 8s a week, is entitled to have his income brought up to £7 Is a week. Another man, also with six dependent children, but earning £6 9s a week, has to get along on that without any State assistance. Similar circumstances involving smaller amounts may arise in the case of men with seven children. Thus larger families were penalised.

It was no wonder, Mr Bryant said, that there was a decline in the birthrate. In the country women were working to capacity and had little time to devote to their children. Then again thev could not obtain many necessary things, such as baby wool, etc. The remit went forward with the full accord of the meeting.