Call For Inquiry On Contraceptives Plan

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31770, 29 August 1968, Page 1

Call For Inquiry On Contraceptives Plan

(New Zealuni Press Association)

WELLINGTON, August 28.

The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) has called for an inquiry into the decision of the Canterbury University Students’ Association executive to install contraceptive-vending machines in the Student Union buildings—and has asked the Minister of Health (Mr McKay) and the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) to make an urgent report.

Mr Holyoake, speaking at a meeting of the Dominion council of the National Party, said he had found the Canterbury students’ decision “quite repulsive.”

The National Party council unanimously passed a motion —framed by its five women members—that it viewed the students' decision “with concern.”

In presenting it, Mrs T. G. McNab (Balclutha) said the proposal of contraceptivevending machines made responsible parents feel they had been wasting their time in the moral upbringing of their children. Urging adoption of the resolution, Mr A. Martin (Auckland) said: “This is an issue on which we, as individuals, must stand up and be prepared to be counted.” He recalled' that on a similar proposal at Edinburgh University, Malcolm Muggeridge had felt so strongly that he had resigned the rectorship.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Professor N. C. Phillips) said Jast evening that he would refer the whole issue to the students’ liaison committee—a new committee of the University Council which has representatives of both the council and the Students’ Association.

Professor Phillips said that, as he had just returned from Sydney, he knew only the bare facts of recent developments, and could not comment usefully. The students’ liaison committee had power to act in certain matters and in others, including dicipline, it could make recommendations to the council. No official statement was likely to be issued until these inquiries had been completed, Professor Phillips said. ATTITUDE REAFFIRMED

The Canterbury University Students’ Association tive last evening reaffirmed its motion approving in principle the installation of two contraceptive - vending machines in Student Union buildings although the motion was opposed by the president (Mr P. G. Nathan) and an executive member (Mr L. Wright). Mr T. Beer, who opposed the original motion, did not attend, nor did Miss C. L. McCurdy. The executive also decided to ensure that the matter

would be discussed by the new Student Representation Council, and at a special general meeting next term. In the meantime, it hopes to arrange discussion—through lectures by medical men, and the weekly students’ forums. Mr G. Culliford reported that he had obtained quotations for machines from one firm which would give the

Students’ Association a commission on machine-sold contraceptives. Messrs Nathan and Wright opposed vending machines because they did not think they would prevent illegitimate births, or serve any other useful purpose. The executive’s meeting, requested by Mr Wright, lasted about an hour.