G.P.s argue for repeal

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 6

G.P.s argue for repeal

PA Wellington The General Practitioner Society was ■ opposed to amendments to the new abortion law as proposed by the Abortion Supervisory Committee, the society’s executive said yesterday. The amendments would make the hew law acceptable to consultants, and in particular to specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology. How'ever, they would at the same time aggravate the defects of the law as far as general practitioners and their women patients were concerned, the executive said. A statement, signed bv Drs C. Shand, R. Ridley-Smith, and G. J. Stokes, of Wellington, and Dr J. Kelly, of Wanganui, said the amendments would further undermine and diminish the part which the I general practitioner had to iplay in the abortion question. “The society can see no amendment to the present act which would be acceptable to the medical profession, other than the repeal of all provisions which would estab-

lish a supervisory committee and certifying consultants,” the statement said.

In Melbourne, a New Zealand anti-abortion campaigner and S.P.U.C. official, Mrs Marilyn Pryor, told a large crowd during a rally that the new abortion laws in New Zealand had been hailed as a breakthrough for the pro-life cause.

During the rally there was a call for the Federal Government to end abortion funding and for the Victor! ,n Government to end abortion on demand. Meanwhile, in Wellington the Women’s National Abortion Action Campaign is raising money to help women who want to have an abortion overseas. W.O.N.A.A.C. will work with Sisters Overseas Service. which is already helning; Women get abortions in Australia.

The campaign to repeal the new laws has run into trouble with its petition. A report from Wellington says some petitioner forms have disappeared and others have been maliciously damaged.