THE MARRIAGE “BOOM.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2069, 18 December 1919, Page 1

THE MARRIAGE “BOOM.”

POSITION IN AUCKLAND. STEADY INCREASE RECORDED. “WHEN THE BOYS COME HOME” The marriage statistics recorded fur the Auckland district last month (says the New Zealand Herald) show that the “boom” in marriages which commenced til the beginning of the year has been steadily maintained, while the registrar holds the opinion that the figures for December will be even higher than those of recent months. A review of figures for the last eight years shows that the marriage rate has now reverted to, and even advanced upon, that of the pre-war period. In 1912 and 1913 the number of marriages recorded was 1380 and 143.1 respectively. There was a rise in 1914, the last few months of which saw the departure of more than 10,000 young men of a marriageable age in the Expeditionary Force. In 19.1.5, wilh the war-clouds growing darker, and Ihe prospect of a heavy demand on the man-power of the country looming near at hand, a still greater increase was recorded. (he number rising to 1590. The inevitable reaction set in during succeeding years, the number dropping from 1204 in *191(5 to 93(5 las! year, which was the lowest on record for many years past. With 1482 marriage notices sent out already, and a busy month ahead, il seems probable that by (he close of this year a new and much more favourable record will ho established. Although so many returned men are marrying, however, (he opinion was expressed that this did not imply any great development in the home-life of the community. Many newly-married couples arc finding it so dillicult to secure a house al a moderate price that they were living in boardinghouses or hotels, or, in some cases, two or even three couples shared the same dwelling. The prospect of the war gratuity has probably hastened many marriages, although the idea was expressed (hat in a number of instances the young couple will have a “good time” so long'as the money lasts, without taking much thought to future -responsibilities or homemaking prospects.