Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 11, 1900. The Birth Rate.

Manawatu Herald, 11 October 1900, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, OCT. 11, 1900. The Birth Rate.

-*- - We have before drawn attention to the decline in the birth-rate of this colony, a decline not quite, but almost, as great as that remarked upon in France. Me Witheiord has asked the Premier to give the matter his careful consideration, which no doubt he will. This decline in the proportion of births is a serious thing for the colony as a nation, but is it for the individual families ? A doctrine has been preached for years as to the wisdom of ordering your family iiecor'.i iug to your meana, mid it has apparent ly bten generally

taken to heart. The reason why such a diminution of children really takes place must be sought in the present day styfe of living, the desire for extra comforts, and thus a dread of running into what unfortunately is accepted as an unnecessary expense. Children cost money, and rarely return to their parents the outlay made on their account. We are by no means saying that this is a right view of married life, in fact it is far from it, but it is the view generally taken. Those who are united in the bonds of marriage at a church are instructed in their duties and told to increase and multiply exceedingly, but in the civil form, as used at Registry offices, we understand no such suggestions are made. As we have a government, for the people, it may seem fit to them to issue a useful address for the Registrar of Marriages to read on the occas- ! sions when he unites a man and woman as husband and wife. Secular education in schools prevents tbe younger generation from learning their duty to their country, so that our only hope lies in an interesting , address by the Registrar. A nation declines in power when its population decreases, whether from below the usual average or actually below the ordinary deathrate. Everything is in proportion and though a colony, such as ours, shows a large increase in population it is gained from immigration and not in the legitimate manner, which thus places the original settlers in the hands of the Outlanders, or new arrivals. It is, however, all very well to blame parents from not possessing large families, but we have to seek some way to induce them to do so. Many years ago some people who were deemed cranks, used to urge that out of the waste lands of the colony so many acres should be set • aside for the benefit of the children born in the colony. And why should it not have been ? Each person introduced to the colony is worth in a capital sum if valued as a taxable object, quite £100, and at the time this suggestion was made a free passage and a bonus was given for the introduction of aliens. It was better in those days to be a foreigner than a member of the great British Empire, in this colony. Are matters very much better now ? What is tbe cry heard from the heads of families? "What are we to do with our boys ?" and by the mothers " What are we to do with our girls ?" If these questions are pertinent why do we blam» them for not having more boys and more girls to worry about ? The government, except in their own little way, cannot do much to increase the birth-rate of the colony and simply giving statistics and stating how unpatriotic the settlers are will be of no avail. -The remedy lies in securing the welldoing of the people and making the placing of tho children in healthy and remunerative employments possible. We admit the question is a difficult one, and the present government have gone part of the way to accomplish such reforms. We are, however, quite sure that one of the deterrents in married life to having a large family arises in a great measure from the want of prdper medical assistance in the country districts, and some arrangement whereby medical help can be obtained at a less ruinous price now charged if a doctor has to be called a few miles into the country. We are not very . far our in our estimate that to those living upon the country lands of the colony, the cost of each birth with a doctor's fee and a midwife's charges total to close on £10, and means the equivalent to a month's labour to a working-man. Under these circumstances it makes a man careful about " having his quiver full " as it points the road to bankruptcy. If it is a gain to the colony to secure a new settler then it seems worth while to inquire how an increase can be induced, and these difficulties must be faced before an alteration is likely.

The report of the Royal Commission appointed to select a site for the Federal Capital of Australia mention Orange, Yass and Bombia as the most suitable places to choose from. News from New Britain records a series of severe earthquake shocks during the visit of the German steamer Stottin to Ralun, the first shock lasting a minute. Thirty-two shocks followed. The water receded from the bay and a small tidal wave followed. It is believed the island was lifted 4ft. The Premier is endeavouring to obtain from South Africa a large number of Mauser rifles, and also a Maxim gun captured from the Boers by New Zealanders. If the rifles are obtained, they will be distributed throughout the colony. At a meeting of the Borough Council on Tuesday evening it was decided to readjust the loan of £1000 raised for part of the cost of constructing the Wirokino Bridge, extending the term from 26 years to 41 years, and a resolution was passed on these terms which will be confirmed on the 13th of November. The Manawatu County Council invite tenders for the right of working the Shannon Ferry. Specifications can be seen either at Sanson or the Borough Council office. "

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