BIRTH CONTROL ISSUE BEFORE U.N.

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30711, 29 March 1965, Page 2

BIRTH CONTROL ISSUE BEFORE U.N.

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter—Copyright)

NEW YORK, March 28.

Britain has called on the United Nations to face up to the “difficult and highly controversial subject” of birth control in international aid programmes.

Britain also warned that world population growth was outstripping social development.

The comments were included in a note issued by the United Nations SecretaryGeneral (U Thant) on replies he had received to a questionnaire on what priorities should be established for international social action during the rest of this decade. The United States also urged that population growth rates should be consistent with a country’s goals for a higher standard of living for its people. Sweden said that in the second half of the United Nations development decade of the sixties, greater emphasis should be laid on action in the field of family planning. Health and education generally ranked highest in the list of priorities suggested by responding governments. Only Britain, Sweden and the United States touched upon the birth control issue. BRITAIN said that “in spite of good progress in

world health and education, the increased population of the world has resulted in total needs which are now greater than at the beginning of the development decade, in 1960.” THE UNITED STATES gave first priority to the improvement of health and nutrition.

BELGIUM said: “As far as the physical and moral wellbeing of the family and the future of a country are concerned, there is no social factor more important than housing.” BURMA asked that priority in international action be given to secondary education, particularly scientific education.

CANADA said basic health and welfare services, including housing, should top the list.

FRANCE called for the improvement of nutrition, preservation of public health, and the strengthening of national medical and health services.

THE IRISH REPUBLIC said first priority should be given to improving health and nutrition through an increase in food supplies and the raising of dietary standards. DENMARK said the highest priority should go to an expeditious development of educational programmes with the main emphasis on appropriate vocational training.”