THE CRADLE'S MITE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 10

THE CRADLE'S MITE

■. ■ f, . (To the Editor.) ■ Sir,— Having unsheathed my pen and dutifully being the tired mother of a few young sons I want to tell this Government a few home truths' and ask some questions, too. We are hearing a lot-about the declining birth-rate and the future of youth in this Dominion. Well, (1) Where are young mothers and potential mothers going to find domestic assistance? , (2) Is the State doing anything to solve this vital and national problem? (3) Can overburdened'mothers fairly be expected to have- further healthy babies and do justice to their early upbringing? -'■(,4) Will the problem' of domestic service be any easier for the next generation? -■ . : ;• .-■; x (5) Can working .people" afford to have even moderately small families and nourish,,clothe, "and educate them with the present 'high cost of living and still higher taxation staring us'in the face? '...-' ' " . -." :-■ ' • i (6) Could not the Government, if they.are,true Socialists and far sighted politicians, legislate for a State system of rendering practical^, 'assistance to young mothers—an organisation which could train the girls whose services would be paid for by those-who could possibly afford it and rendered free for the less-fortunate?'.• In ; ; .order to attract girls the State would have to offer a good inducement and .subsidise their earnings where necessary. The girls graduating 'from this system would be excellent future 'mothers. jVhat domestic training^ has, the. average office, shop, or ■ factory girl of today? .v.v.-;\ .-. .. ':. ..'. .-ii.v-1 A scheme such as..this would pay its diivdend in the future .manhood arid womanhood,of New Zealand. It would alleviate the. preserit .anxiety and suffering of mothers and encourage larger families: n .". :'-\''J.:' ■<-' '- Perhaps we, want a few women in Parliament who would ~ understand these really vital social problems. Industry is almost snatching children from the cradle—young labour is at such a premium. -What of the mothers? Where does industry: come': in without mothers?—l'ami,etc., ■ 'V. . MOTHER.