FALL IN BIRTH RATE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 389, 22 March 1937, Page 4

FALL IN BIRTH RATE.

Disquieting Feature of National Statistics.

Press Association—Copyright. Invercargill, March 21. “The most disquieting and depressing feature of our national statistics is the fall in the birth rate,” said the Minister of Health, Hon. P. Fraser, in his address at the opening of the nev hospital yesterday. “That our birth rate should be kept as high as possible is important to the country at present, and is of immense importance to the future ok' the country.” “There was at the present time a great deal of discussion about the necessity for a bigger population, and various suggestions had been made about the renewal of immigration, continued Mr Fraser. Steps would certainly have to be taken to secure a bigger population for the Dominion,

but not until New Zealand’s economic life had been so arranged as to absorb a'll the physically fit workers. Nor could there be any arguihent | about the fact that the best “immigrants” were babies “born in our own land and born of healthy, vigorous and intelligent parents—parents such as we have in our own young men and j women,” said the Minister. Young | parents should bo encouraged to have ! children.”