FOR WOMEN

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 24 May 1923, Page 6

FOR WOMEN

To Uk: JaUtor of t/n-, "Tlmam Hernia.” Sir, f iijiUir i.h‘; above caption “Mother oi nix” makes como very sane remarks ariont, flu: Women’s Conference now sitting at Home. It is in the first paragraph o£ her effort that I find room for a healthy difference of opinion. “Mother of Six” takes strong exception t.o flic Women’s Conference advocating “restriction of birth,” as a means to an end —the end in this instance being avoidance of “financial cramp.” In substitution for the restriction measure the good lady urges “mother endowment.” An excellent substitution admittedly, but oh, flow remote. Quite a quantity of water w'ill flow beneath the bridges before our legislators will do anything special to assist struggling parents with ‘encumbrances” to provide for. When parents realise—if they have not already done so—that restriction is their only present economic weapon and put it into further effect; then, and not until then, will some further encouragement be given to those who are prepared to do their obvious duty—that of raising the bairns that make a nation what it should be.

I think it was that worthy statesman the late Right Hon. R. J. Seddon who said, that “ the parents with a large family were the country’s best asset.” With due respect, sir, where is the incentive to “keep the cradles full”? None whatever. Birth restriction is merely a natural corollary, when we weigh up the position. To sail full steam ahead m the sea of matrimony is well certainly injudicious, all things consid®reiJ- The reformers, mentioned by Mother of Six,” will come only when pressure is used in a way that demonstrates the position to the naked eye of our “sixteenth century legislators.” in conclusion, I trust my intrusion in this matter is pardonable, and for publication uiank you m anticipation.—l am, etc., PATERFAMILIAS.