CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 January 1918, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

•WHAT X.2. WAXT-5 IS POPULATION' To the Editor. Sir, —On Christmas Jive I left. Hawera per medium of a second-class non-smoker on tin; morning train. At a wavsid.: •station not far from here, a- good "type of working man boarded the train, 'accompanied by his wife and family. Tlioy took their seats in tl:o carriage wherj '■ was reading. Putting down my book I observed this working man, his wife wild family, particularly Jxis family, for we are in the fourth year of a great emnireahaking war, and matters have not' improved since the words at the head of this letter were uttered from a public platform in ftie Wairarapa by New Zealand's :no3t famous Prime Minister. Yes, this workman was taking for a Christmas change his wife and children, four healthy 1 'ys, with clout skins. They were neatly clad and well shod with serviceable boots, for footwear is an item these days. A paternal Government stil! heeps r hign protective tariff on children's footwear. And thus I cogitated: '•.Surely our Baronets and Knights and Honorables would on pleased at such a aiwht. Our Ministers of the Crown and politicians would be glad to see such a strong robust family.. No.. thought if any one deserved encouragement at the hands of everyone in general and Gov erhment Departments in particular." It was the father and mother of those four boys, whoso ages ranged from eleven to three years. Presently the guard entered the carriage. "All tickets please," lit said, and the father held up a handful of tickets. Six tickets and each half ticket for those boys was loaded with a double increase and no excursion rates. Who could refrain from noting the in- | sincerity of this State Railway 'Department, in exacting its full penalty from this workman and his wife? Keeping in line with tho accommodation housekeeper, who is averse to taking people with children, and with the property owner who is anxious to get a childless tenant. When will some true nationalist step forth and champion the cause of the workman and his wife who do not shirk the responsibility of rearing a family, those who are not deterred 'by the increase in maternity fees and medical expenses? Where is the true patriot who will demand that the Government will give concessions approximating to the benefits which the parents of healthy children confer upon the State. This disastrous war should impress upon everyone the necessity for the replenishing as far as possible the native born race of Kpav Zealanders in this favored country of ours, and compel the State to remove all obstacles in this direction.— I am, etc., OOGITATOR. Hawera, January 10, 1918.