SOCIAL EVIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1937, Page 14

SOCIAL EVIL.

RESOLUTION BY WOMEN. SHARING OF RESPONSIBILITY. In considering the question of abortion, following the report presented by the committee of inquiry set up last August by the Minister of Health, the i Hon. P. Fraser, to investigate the pro- | Mem, the executive of the Auckland i branch of the National Council of j Women brought forward a resolution at the monthly meeting of the branch held last night. Appreciation of the careful and j thorough work of the commission and J its comprehension of the many factors contributing to this deplorable state of affaire was. expressed and an appeal was made for women's organisations to face the position and by the education of youth and the moulding of the women's opinion to give these matters earnest consideration so as to develop a more rational and wholesome outlook on sex matters. While realising fully the responsibility of women in this matter, it was felt that not enough accent is laid on the part played by fathers or potential fathers in provoking conditions giving rise to the crime of abortion. "We suggest," stated the resolution, "that any appeal to the womanhood of New Zealand to refrain from such selfish and unworthy actions will be incomplete unless a similar appeal is made to the manhood of our nation to treat with respect and consideration, to realise the privileges of parenthood and not to place women, married or single, in the terrible predicament which drives them to the desperate measure of abortion. For every woman resorting to abortion there is a man who is responsible for an unwanted pregnancy and who in many instances not only approves but demands its termination. The commission hae referred to the economic hardship, fears of children, illhealth and the strain of bearing many children too closely spaced as contributing factors, and we confidently assert that given normal physical health, adequate attention at childbirth and a lese barren outlook for their children in a world continually threatened with warfare, unemployment and economic insecurity few women will shirk childbearing."

"Let Hβ therefore affirm," continued the resolution, "that the social evil of abortion is rooted in a common responsibility and that any campaign for raising tiie social and ethical standard of conduct in the community must have a joint appeal to' both men and women, that by their mutual effort they may ensure the building of a virile and happy people." Many members spoke to the resolution, several pointing out that the endowment of motherhood was one of the remedies against this social evil.