BIRTH CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 22

BIRTH CONTROL.

Your letter on the above subject on April 29 by "Prorace" needs the 6erious thought of all broadminded citizens. Apparently the legislation of such a serious matter is being trusted to the discretion of men of matured years who do not grasp the requirements of modern life. Secondly, they are not the choice by democratic methods of the electors of this Dominion. If such a bill as proposed was passed, the chemists, as pointed out by "Prorace,' would bo in a position to laugh up their sleeves. Open sale is now allowed in nearly all countries .excepting Japan and Italy. Are we going to take a step backwards in this direction? The present legislation now in force amply fulfills.the bill, - so why alter it? In fact, quite recently Australia lias, copied our methods and adopted them. Why, then, the need for further trouble? Who is going to suffer? The people who really need these articles are going to be prohibited from buying'them, as the cost will naturally increase when a monopoly is created. Statistics undoubtedly prove that the countries that did not adopt birth control by the use of contraceptives show 100 per cent increase in infant mortality. Consequently if the sale is ■ restricted to a few chemists New. Zealand will follow in' this direction. Furthermore, the restricted sale will lead to another malpracticc which .is now being carried on by certain women. JNIALTHUS.

.Having always been particularly interested in the welfare of women and children I. would like to add my emphatic protest in connection with the. proposed restrictions of the sale of contraceptives.. .My idea is that the young should be so well instructed as to their bodily functions that' fewer of them would wish to indulge in premature sex experience, and that, married people, or those old enough to be responsible' for their actions, - should be given free wholesome information as to the best way to limit Nature in her overgenerosity. It is essential that in these times of economic stress the poor particularly should be helped and not hindered in iimiting the . size of their families. When the world is so managed that all have a decent standard of living, babies will be. welcome. I sincerely hope that the women of New Zealand will be roused to protest against this further infringement of the liberty of the individual, MOTHER. ,