Chch 'abortion clinic' mystery

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 1

Chch 'abortion clinic' mystery

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, April 9.

The “private abortion clinic in Christchurch” which was the subject of a question in Parliament yesterday by Mr 11. J. Walker (Nat.. Papanui) is either a closely-kept secret or has already been abandoned.

Inquiries made in, Christchurch among doc-| tors, members of societies which favour the legalising of abortion, and government officers have revealed no knowledge of this socalled project. A search of newspaper files has produced no newspaper story that two doctors planned to open such a clinic in Christchurch. The question asked by Mr Walker quoted as his source; an item in the ‘’Evening 1 Post”, a Wellington paper, headed "Abortion clinic plans under attack." This item, on inspection.! turns out to be a Press' Association message sent from Auckland on March 30. 1 The message quoted the! visiting vice-president of the United States National Right to Life Association (Dr Carolyn Gerster) as sayingthat the opening of a clinic at this time appeared to be an act-of deliberate defiance. In asking his question ot the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling). Mr Walker wanted to know if Mr Rowling had stated he would be concerned if such a clinic were opened. Mr Rowling confirmed that he had said earlier that he would be “very concerned" if a clinic were opened while the legality of such institutions was being questioned. Mr Rowling said he would' seek responsible support from the medical profession "to stay any action while the matter is still under consideration by Parliament or any responsible body instigated by Parliament." , It now seems that Mr Rowling's statement was a general one. not necessarily related to Christchurch. In newspaper comment published since the Auckland clinic first made the head-

lines there have been oblique references to other clinics being under consideration — but the only venture specifically named and identified was a Wellington one which has not been mentioned for some time. One cynical official who denied knowledge of the alleged Christchurch venture pointed out that there would be significance in the fact that the Press Association item in the "Post” was published on April 1.