TEACHINGS RESENTED

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 276, 21 November 1928, Page 7

TEACHINGS RESENTED

Conscientious Objector Fires Birth Control Van.

MARIE BTOPES CRUSADE.

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 10 a.m.) LONDON, November 20. Mies Elizabeth Ellis, a well-dressed woman, who said she was a confectioner, aged 34, called at the Bradford Police Station and declared, "I set fire to the birth control van." Her action was apparently due to her conscientious objections to the circulation of birth control pamphlets, not only among married but single women, as a portion of the activities of the Society for Constructive Birth Control with influential headquarters in London, and which is under the presidency of Dr. Marie Stopes. The van tours the country under the supervision of two certificated midwives. Miss Ellis broke a window and poured in paraffin which she ignited. The vehicle caught fire but the outbreak went out after the curtain had burnt. Miss Ellis was charged with doing malicious damage and pleaded guilty. She announced she would repeat the performance if Dr. Stopes was not dealt with as a law-breaker. Defendant was fined 10/ and ordered to pay 10/ damages, with the alternative of eleven days' imprisonment. She refused to pay, announcing that she preferred gaol, but her sister discharged the fine.