Repeal of C. S. and A. Act

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 14

Repeal of C. S. and A. Act

Sir, — Mr Lambert claimed he had never been pressured by Catholic clergy, and had in fact been told by one that he had no right to impose his own moral standards on the rest of society. Yet he and every other Catholic in Parliament did just that. Immediately before the election of the present Parliament the then president of the (Catholic) N.Z. Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Kavanagh, urged people not to vote for any candidate who believed in the extension of abortion (“The Press,” November 17, 1975). This was only one of many ways in which pressure was applied. Second, you have fallen for Mr Rowling’s claim that the pro-choice position is somehow extremist. Surveys show that as many people believe abortioq-should be available on request early in pregnancy as voted Labour in the last election. Since these are also the people most involved in the issue, it is inevitable that in practice they will prevail, no matter what the law. — Yours, etc., ALAN L. WILKINSON. April 15, 1978.

Sir, — Sir Alexander Turner voices a concern for the smooth running of society, and its controlling organs, in advocating the repeal of the present abortion law. With respect, I suggest that a return to the old law, no matter how temporary, is in total opposition with this concern. The old law allowed human lives to be terminated, for reasons which, when compared 'with the value of life itself, were quite trivial. Concern for this value is much more basic than popular support for legislation. Parliament must give legislative effect to it, or be faced with an ultimate breakdown in the society it is endeavouring to hold together. —Y ours, etc., TIM CORCORAN. April 14, 1978.

Sir, —I ■ wish to take issue with D. J. Cooney in his, or her, reference to a “living foetus.” Another recent correspondent went so far as to use the term “infant.” A foetus is not a human being. Until it is capable. of independent survival it is an organisation of tissue having human potential. It has not happened, and a lot of your correspondents seem to be living in the.future, rather than now, when it matters. — Yours, etc., E. de LACEY. Ashburton. April 14, 1978.