Boar, "it doesn't. I have been reading some
reports. Do you know what our projected population will be in a few
generations? We are surpassing our world's ability to sustain us. In a
short time, there will be more people than we can feed.
10 Your prospect, good brother, of even MORE people, doesn't encourage
me, it frightens me. I have been given a hundred possible solutions. I
don't like any one of them!
11 All ready I have signed permits for 'the construction of many new
cities. Thanks to your processes, useless land is becoming usable, but
there is simply not enough of it. And, with the end of the fighting
there will not be casualties to keep our numbers down. I am faced with
major decisions I do not like. I have come to you for some scientific
advice, and find you are adding to my problem. Those with genetic
deficiencies that did not bear were helping me. Now, you are taking
even that away!"
12 Gray Boar looked sad. "Never, my brother," he comforted, "do I wish
to add to your burdens! I know how great they are, remembering how our
father struggled with them every day. What course do you plan to
follow?"
13 "There is only one that I can see," his brother answered. "I must
limit our numbers. I have been working on a proposal with The Council,
basically like this.
14 From now on, each person, when they are born, will be allowed one
certificate of replacement. When they mate, they may have one child to replace themselves.
Outside of this, if people want extra children, they may buy
certificates from those who do not want any, or, wait and if extra
living space becomes available, extra certificates will be sold by
lottery, that each person will have an equal chance of getting one."
15 "It sounds like a fair system," agreed Gray Boar. "The people should
understand, and accept it."