PRE-NATAL INFLUENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16815, 5 June 1926, Page 8

PRE-NATAL INFLUENCE.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Would you permit me through the columns of your paper to appeal to all lovers of New Zealand, and incidentally to Hie powers that be? It is an old and well-known fact that the hand (hat rocks the cradle rules the world, and it must be obvious lo Hie most casual observer that tho fair sex arc taking a tremendous part in rebuilding after Hie late war. One has only to note the numbers of girls and women coming to the fore in all walks of life; also it is their privilege to* build the manhood of a nation. Now, taking into consideration the fact that pre-natal influence'is no longer hypothetical but an' established fact, why Is it the modern young' girl seems to be left in ignorance and allowed to drink and smoke the way she does? It would he foolish lo stale it was done by the majority, and a broadminded view of life decrees to live and let live. At tho same time, it is well to remember that there are wider issues at stake and that drinking and smoking amongst women are on the increase in this country—not so much noticed in the smaller centres hut very evident in the larger ones. Why is it parents do not teach their children pre-natal influence? Is it a false sense of modesty, ignorance, or because they donl care? The cleaner lives the younger generation live the belter the souls that are born as their children, for after all tho actual body is but a thing of clay. It is clean thought and proper restraint of emo- | Hon that counts in the making of good parents. Surely no girl would conj sciously wreck that most wonderful heritage of her's—motherhood. I Therefore would it not be possible to have pre-natal influence taught in I the high schools under ihe heading of social hygiene? We rail these islands of ours “God's Own Country,” hut it I rests with us what sort of civilisation | we build, wlial sorl of race we popuI lale them with.' and tho population I rests with Hie younger generation, Hie j future parents. Cannot we, by Ihe exercise of a little forethought, and self-restraint, build a race worthy of “God's Own Country?”—l am. etc., sconriA.