The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1917. THE CRADLE FILLING PROBLEM.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1917. THE CRADLE FILLING PROBLEM.

In the development of the resources of a country like New [Zealand the great need is an adequate population of both sexes—the more vigorous and self-reliant the hettor. In face of the present war toll on the Dominion's manhood, and of other matters affecting the population barometer, we are confronted with a pro'-'"m that bids fair to prove extremely sorious in the future. Either wo must rely on a large influx of immigrants after the war, or some radical change must take place in the direction of materially increasing the birth rate, Preservation of infant life Is already receiving expert attention with more gratifying results, but statistics show that there was a steady decrease in the birth rate of the Dominion from ISB6 until 1599 in which the lowest rate per thousand was recorded. This was followed by a steady increase until 1908, when the rate stood at 27.45 per thousand. Then each of the three following years there was a fall in the rate, which in 1011 was only 25.97, followed by a slight rise in 1912, but fell away again, the rate in 1915 being 25.33, the second lowest ever recorded. It has been stated that of 106,134 married men (under forty-five years of age, and liable to be called upon to render military service) no fewer than 20,331, or nearly a fifth, have not a single child to share in the future development of the Dominion. Another fifth of these men, approximately, have only a single child to their credit, so that nearly one-half of the married men liable for service can only muster a moiety of a child apiece, while if we take the fathers of not more than two children into the reckoning it is found that nearly two-thirds of the total number of reservists have not more than two children to help forward the important work of nation building. The first step to be taken is to ascertain the cause or causes responsible for this low average. That is an inquiry which might well occupy the time and attention of a specially selected body of men possessing the necessary qualifications for the purpose. The ground to be covered includes consideration of several questions bearing on the problem, such as: Why so many men remain single; why young women in ever increa'sing numbers are avoiding the natural destiny of motherhood, and why there is such a manifest restriction of families. One factor that has a certain influence is the effect of the emancipation of women and the acquisition of equal rights with men. Women can, and in far too many instances do, lead a life untrammelled by the conventions of former years and unfettered by domestic ties. The war has given an enormous impetus to this independence, for it has opened up avenues of work that were formerly closed to women, who can now order their lives as freely and selfishly as they

please. They work, but only during fixed hours, and the rest of the time can be devoted to pleasure, recreation and social intercourse, or spent in any way that suits their individual tastes. The conditions of life to-day have been revolutionised by education, equality of opportunity and the trend of events. Fortunately the home instinct is deeply rooted or the prospects for the future would be very gloomy so far as national welfare is concerned. New Zealand is chiefly a producing country, bub the tendency to leave the producing area and its monotony for the attractions of the large towns and cities is growing apace, and for this the prosperity of the producers is in some measure responsible, while the failure of the Government to make rural life more attractive must also be a factor. The craving for excitement and pleasure is manifest and 'bids fair to become abnormal. No one can be blamed for getting every possible ounce out of the pleasures of life, provided the duties of life are properly and conscientiously carried out, and amongst those duties is nation-building. It is quite possible that with limited means the prospect of the expenses of married life acts as a barrier in some eases. The housing problem has a definite bearing on the problem; high rents, insecure ten'ure and the neaessity for self denial. In this connection Hie Government has been woefully at fault, for the inducement of a comfortable home would often turn the scale in deciding whether to marry or not. It should be the policy, as well as the duty, of the Government to facilitate the erection of comfortable homes for all who desire them, giving such easy terms as would not press on slender resources. Probably the most important matter that the Government should undertake is the provision of State medical aid, both for maternity ases and for all sickness and mishaps. The conscription of our manhood has revealed a far greater quantity of physical defects than was to be expected in a country where the low death rate has to compensate for the low birth rate. If New Zealand is to become a great country the causes of its present weakness will have to be ascertained and' remedied, and steps in this direction may well be taken without delay.