The Dominion SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1914. REARING A RACE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 235, 1 July 1944, Page 6

The Dominion SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1914. REARING A RACE

There is a hopeful' feeling that the end of the present war will usher in a long period of uninterrupted peace in which a great advance in social progress in every aspect of civilization will be possible. This feeling is strengthened by a determination that all conceivable measures must be taken to ensure that this aspiration shall not be frustrated. In this country the period after the war may well be the beginning of a new era, and of the building up and development of a race of New Zealanders virile in stamina, clean and wholesome in character, animated by sound principles in self-government, social living, and economic activities. The first hundred years with their exploring and pioneering activities have passed, and a New Zealand white race is in the making. Envisaging the prospect, certain foundation problems present themselves,; if racial progress is to be inherently sound. Some of these problems were touched on by Dr. H. M. Wilson in a recent address at Hastings to the Plunket Society and members of kindred organizations. These problems are concerned with the national birth-rate, the care and claims of motherhood, and the provisioning of homes in which children may be reared under the best conditions of environment, hygiene, and' training. This country will never become the ideal State we would like it to be unless and until it has become fully populated, most preferably with its own New Zealandborn stock. More population we must have if the nation’s resources and capabilities are to be fully exploited and developed, our social security schemes maintained in a strong position, and New Zealanders enabled to stand on their own feet in the defence of their country. The alternative to a declining population is immigration from overseas. The prospect of a flow of British stock does not seem at present encouraging. Against a racial mixture with European stock from the Continent Dr. Wilson sounds a warning, based on American experience, that the results-are not, in the main, for the good of the original stock and the ensuing race. Examining the situation he sees in an increased birth-rate, good homes, and inducements to the rearing of families, the best hope for the future. Inventions in the field of domestic amenities have done a good deal to lessen the burden of household cares for the mother, but there is still the standing problem to be solved of domestic assistance where it is needed, especially in the rural districts. He makes an appeal to women to make of this field of activity a definite calling, which should be placed on a satisfactory basis that will raise its status and ennoble its character, as in nursing. That is an ideal well worth concentrating upon, for it is definitely linked with the fundamental problem of the birth-rate. Dr. Wilson places special emphasis on good housing and proper dieting. Good housing is a mark of social progress. Linked with proper dieting, the two together are a very definite factor in disease prevention. Full marks in social progress cannot be awarded if the public hospitals are congested, doctors and nurses are overtaxed, and the Social Security Fund is overweighted’ with sick and invalidity claims, and that in a country so climatically favourable as New Zealand is for a healthy, robust population. There is an appealing quality about Dr. Wilson’s way of putting bis points that should stir the finer impulses of those who study his remarks. It is an appeal to pride of race and love of country, and especially a call to women to assert their claims for a sincere and sympathetic appreciation of their domestic needs, and-for practical measures to supply these needs. In his own words, “We must have more children, the mothers must have help in their homes, and the women must see that they get it.”