"BEING AVOIDED."

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 247, 29 July 1943, Page 3

"BEING AVOIDED."

DETRIMENTAL TO THE NATION. (P.A.) ’ OAMARU, July 2S. Outspoken views on marriage in relation to parenthood and what he described as the challenge of feminism Were expressed by the Rev. Dean Cruickshanlt, of Dunedin, when addressing a largely attended public meeting at Oamaru held in conjunction with a Christian Order rally. He declared that the responsibility of parenthood was being avoided to the national detriment, and that motherhood Avas woman’s greatest function. “it is to be deplored that scientific inventions are being misused in New Zealand to-day,” said Dean Cruickshank, “and many are acting like boomerangs, producing opposite effects to those intended. This is the transitional age and the freedom of to-day may grow into the licence of to-morrow. Some inventions are now being disgracefully used and, if persisted with, will mean the eventual extermination of family life. Their production is unnatural and unworthy of the sacred function of marriage. In the marriage tie there is a section which accepts contraceptives, and I most strongly disagree with the attitude of that section.” Dean Cruickshank urged that marriage should be kept on the highest basis of respect and love, and the ideals of parenthood should be maintained. “I shall be dropping a brick if I say that family life in New Zealand is, being challenged by feminism,” he continued. “I do not want women to be excluded from positions they should occupy, and they are doing a great work in this war, but if we are to progress as a nation there must be a return to the hand that rocks the cradle. Women must realise that their greatest primary place is in the home.” Dean Cruickshank said that presentday tendencies were selfish and while lie was not lacking in sympathy for parents’ problems, there should he a scheme of family allowances that would enable people to marry younger than was the case to-day. There should he preparation for marriage, part of which should he sex education, “r am satisfied that we of the Christian church must give this education,” ha added. “It can be given simply and with care.” He also declared that the contracting parties in marriage should insist on health certificates.