“KEEP THE CRADLE FULL."

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 435, 12 September 1908, Page 4

“KEEP THE CRADLE FULL."

A Kaituna settler has addressed a letter to the Attorney-General, in connection with the Hon. Dr. Findlay’s remarks on the declining birth-rate. “ We, married ‘ back-blockers, ” says the writer, “ acknowledge that the State has a right to expect from us certain self-sacrificing duties. Eut we, on the other hand, contend that the State has reciprocal duties which it should perform, not the least of these being in the direction of assisting and encouraging citizens in all matters which make for its own best interests. But the State gives us no encouragement in certain directions —rather the reverse—for has it not illegalised the employment of other than certificated nurses as midwives ? Again, were it sympathetic it would have come to our rescue when the medical profession (as it is instanced in this district) conspire to raise its one time fee of three guineas to four, with an additional guinea should one more than the usual number of professional visits be required. Sir,a week or two agomy wife —not perhaps entirely with patriotic motives —made a small contribution to the Dominion’s population. What with a nurse and medical man under present tariff conditions, thisduty-to-the-State business cost me a tidy sum, one which I could ill afford, as it represented the net value of three bales of wool. In spite of the value of the services rendered by my wife and self the State flatly refuses other than abstract acknowledgement of those services. Sir, so long as it continues to preserve’ this attitude, so long will be heard the cry of a declining birthrate. Let it alter its present policy to us and I venture to prophesy that many cradles, now hidden away in hay-loft or barn, would again be part and parcel of the kitchen furniture.”