Abortion policy

Press, 11 May 1979, Page 14

Abortion policy

Sir, — Barbara Leggett (May 9) says that “pro-abor-tionists will not be happy until there are no laws, no children and no quality of life whatever.” If the majority of New Zealand women wish to believe this they must be prepared to have their lives affected accordingly. I have reached the conclusion that women are apathetic and submissive after finding themselves with unwanted pregnancies which sometimes result in unwanted children, adding emotional and financial stress to the family. An article (“The Press,” May 8) stated: “Penicillin is known to have affected the (contraceptive) pill’s efficiency and pregnancies have resulted” — a frightening situation for most women who thought that taking the pill at the correct time each day rendered nearly 100 per cent effective contraception. If that is the way women want their lives., then fine, but it is not for me. I shall fight my own battles if the circumstances arise, and I suggest that every other woman be prepared to do the same within, or without the present abortion law. — Yours, etc., DALE STUART. May 10, 1979.

Sir, — In consideration of the extensive coverage given recently to the views of Marilyn Waring and to the views of many supporters of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child, it was encouraging to find a well-researched and factual article by Vicky Furey (“The Press,” May 8) on the subject of the contraceptive pill. It sounded a note of sanity in this confusing issue away from the constant haranguing of the extremists of both persuasions. As a practice nurse, I am very much aware of the value of basic, up-to-date information, constantly reiterated, to overcome the outmoded attitudes of a bygone era towards contraception, and to give sympathetic, practical support to the problems of all women in the child-bearing age group, —Yours, etc., (Mrs) JOYCE SMITH. May 9, 1979.