DECLINE OF BIRTH-RATE AND SOCIAL EVIL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 942, 8 October 1910, Page 10

DECLINE OF BIRTH-RATE AND SOCIAL EVIL.

Sir,—No doubt New Zealand is now rejoicing in the fact that the Rev. F. ( H- Spencer has at last solved the above . problems—problems which up to this time_have baffled mankind. Tho solution is a veritablo masterpiece— . ' make-every man, 21, and over, pay the trifling sum of one-third' of his '. receipts, .with a minimum, mind you, of £25 per; annum,: into a fund, out of which all couples niarrying early are to be started off , with";'£loo, .plus .25 por . cent, of all the-fortunate young man has paid.into this fund, Tsfore he discovered.: tho benefits-gained by'.leading S his bride.-to_ the altar. This veryi genii , croiis provision for'■' young couples 'might easily bring;': them the sum of i £200, in: additions.;- to-their previous savings—quite, a modest addition to' the

sayings of average couples in New ZeaLind. . But this is not alk If tho happy pair aro blessed !with children, Mr. Spwicor is going to: reward them by a bonus" of £20: per 'annum for • each child until .it, is tho-nge of 15. That means that the coupje would receive £300 for each of their • children—£lsoo far.; five. £3000- for- ten. Methiuks a

man would soon be.able'to live on his bonus money. In this ago of finance, a family would bo a valuable asset. ,':The only, difficulty which looms on ■the horizon is that of financing this •'wonderful fuiicl./' But]'of course' Mr. Spencer, I have no : doubt, Iras overcome this, so we must possess ourselves in patience. until ho enlightens US.;'. j./'.' ■ ;:'. "■'■;■ ■> -' .'! ■•-'•.■ .

. In the, course: 0f,, ; his--.letter, Mr. Spencer also- says: "Unquestionably the many pastimes indulged in so dominate our" youth that for these things they , live, and not to extend a. healthy, vig- . orous race." We do not live to . extend a healthy, vigorous ; raee, forsooth, and; unquestionably;.,so,. 'Tis certain that we would-exiiond.r.-a much 'less -healthy ando'vigorous&race. if we did not indulge''yiri r thesO' "pastimes -.which so/dominate ; us."*...'Mr.'-Spencer's solution is: really... a : wonderful -effort, but it.is; very probable' that,if the teachings of our , newly-formed eugenics societies were carried ..to/their "logical conclusion", they.f.would meet -with .more approval'than Mr.;-;Spencer's,com-pulsory :<(f6r/ss : amount to), marnage,'schetne. 'VJ&'Mr, Spencer contimies; ; 'bis/ preseirt'llabotrrs on be--sialf;Jbf^lie^Bib.l&; of' ■wasting.his energy;in thelformabion of -such '/schemes i-as; bo'.hasgbrppght/; for-:i:welcome','-ti'me,-,'.JjW'hen the. bftth-rate/will de : - eiineyS'hd the social - evil»l'e-eradicated,' mil. sooner -etc.,' •/•;;■.;' ■■■■.-'