Benefit cuts opposed

Press, 31 May 1977, Page 3

Benefit cuts opposed

PA Wellington The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child believes that the cuts in the Domestic Purposes Benefit may cause more pressure to be exerted on some women and girls to have abortions.

I The society’s president (Mr J. D. Dalgety) said yesterday that many women jand girls already withstood pressure from boyfriends, parents, doctors, and friends, and the cut could lead to yet another pressure. He said that young pregnant women should be provided with adequate counselling. “Rather than penalising young women who have the ability to be good mothers,

the society believes it would, be better to ensure that): single pregnant girls arej provided with adequate op-'i portunities to arrive at a decision which they can live with, and which is best for them and best for their babies.” j Mr Dalgety said that he was neassured to hear the 1 [Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon) say that solo mothers who needed the full benefit would get it. i “It is important that women who make the responsible choice to keep i their babies should not be penalised by the Government’s recent decisions,” Mr Dalgety said. The Women’s Electoral Lobby has described the Domestic Purposes Benefit review committee report as)

i the second “repressive docu|ment” to hit New Zealand (women in the last two 'months. The report, and that of the Royal' Commission on contraception, sterilisation, and abortion, sought to further restrict the rights of women to determine their futures, the group said. “Cutting the Domestic Purposes Benefit will neither reduce the number of marriage break-ups nor the number of ex-nuptial births, and will not even save much money.” The Women’s Electoral Lobby said that the period after a separation was one of great anxiety for both parties, and to add to the emotional burden of such a difficult time was a negative and callous move.