Campus Contraceptives

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31768, 27 August 1968, Page 16

Campus Contraceptives

Sir,—ls “Taxpayer” suggesting that students should not use contraceptives or is his letter just another general condemnation of students? Suggesting the former, he is probably opting for a higher illegitimacy rate. It must also be remembered that since the world has not been going downhill since the time of Seneca I think it only fair to assume that each generation of students has advanced the world a little further than the last. Teachers, doctors, chemists, etc. have all come from the universities. These graduates are among the higher salary earners and as such pay a higher proportion of tax than does “the man in the street.” Only a very few (not “many”) students take no degree and these few, after one year, must pay their own way after not passing the minimal two units.— Yours, etc., P.S.H. August 26, 1968.

Sir, —Since when have contraceptives been absolutely necessary in the students’ search for knowledge? Although some time since my student days, I think the percentage of failures was considerably lower than now. We had none of the advantages of free' love which appear necessary today and were too busy to indulge. We enjoyed the girls’ company; but B.A. meant much more than Bedding an Arts student. One of the reasons for the installation of the machines is that students are diffident about buying in public. In other words, they are ashamed. What is the reaction of the Chancellor, Bishop Warren? As a leader of the Church of England, will he insist that students realise there are such things as discipline and self-control, or will he let slide as so many church leaders and parents are doing, and so drive another nail in the coffin of Western society? —Your?, etc., EX-ENGINEERING STUDENT. August 25, 1968. Sir,—Having read the latest student request for slot machines for the sale of contraceptives on the campus, ! write as being “neither for nor against.” It seems to me a glorious excuse for a student “sit-in,” or at least a protest march to demand cubicles for the comfort and convenience of amorous couples between lectures. The university council could control these by parking meters—a red light to indicate when time expired. Who knows, but this may prove a worth-while source of revenue? —Yours, etc., TOWARDS 2000. August 26, 1968.

Sir, —The decision, in principle, by the executive of the Canterbury University Students’ Association to furnish its members with a eontraceptive-vending service has come as a rude shock. This body has accepted responsibility for the rate of

illegitimate births and is “taking practical steps” to curb it. I would argue, that this innovation will not affect those students already employing contraceptive agents. Rather, with it introduce contraception to other students who would have not previously considered it. If we regard the illegitimate child as a “mistake,” then surely, as the number of sexual relationships increases, so too does the probability of these “mistakes” occuring. Is there not something revolting about the idea of the professional person of tomorrow approaching the vending machines for chewing-gum, cigarettes, and contraceptives?—Yours, etc., NAUSEA. August 26, 1968.

Sir, —I heartily approve of the installation of a contra-ceptive-vending machine and hope that this service can be extended to the general public.—Yours, etc., UNMARRIED MOTHER OF TEN. August 26, 1968.