jl, Also, if NASI feels so strongly about incentives for shadchanim why does it have to be a big public thing?
I think they’re giving it a better chance, by making one central hub for these shidduchim. As you pointed out yourself, shadchanim are already privately engaged, so saying it should be done privately is in essence saying “lets do nothing”.
As far as the boys coming back earlier, this is where I differ from NASI; they’re in favor of it, I think it’s completely an individual decision, and most boys will decide that they’re better off learning for a while longer before getting married.
As far as putting girls in the freezer, is it really fair to tell a girl who is ready to get married that she must wait? It would likely a “g’zeira she’ein hatzibbur y’ccholim la’amod bah”.
NASI’s ideas are aimed at that same goal, indirectly, but without the negative backlash which would surely erupt (much worse than anything we’ve seen thus far) if rabbonim would forbid some girls from getting married.
I think encouraging (call it bribing if you wish) shadchanim to focus on the older girls is the only way to go. Hopefully, when the message is out that we need to focus on the older girls, many will do so even without financial incentive. Then everyone will be helped, be”H.