Christchurch Central seat

Press, 30 August 1979, Page 16

Christchurch Central seat

Sir, — I challenge Mrs Cook’s opinion (August 28) that abortion was an issue in the Christchurch Central byelection. Once only was it mentioned to me and I was out every canvassing day. I think people are heartily sick of a subject that divides us when we most need unity. The energy used in keeping it alive would be better channelled positively into improving the. lot of one-fifth of New Zealand families, who are in dire straits, as Brian Easton has been telling us for years. George Bryant’s recently published book, “The Widening Gap,” reinforces his findings. Action along lines such as a minimum living wage and an education to fit children for life, would gradually remove the word abortion from our conversation. A new baby should be a joy, not a financial disaster. This is the International Year of the Child. Is this to be just a gimmick or are we willing to do something? — Yours, etc., A. M. COATES. August 28, 1979.

Sir, — Mrs P. M. Cock (August 28) queries the significance of anti-abortion support for Social Credit in the Christchurch Central byelection. A McNair Survey commissioned by S.P.U.C, and published in May said: “13 per cent (of voters at the 1978 election) changed their vote because of the abortion issue. Seventy-three per cent (of these) voted for liberalisation of the law and half of them voted for either Social Credit or Values. The abortion issue <_ jrated to the advantage of the minor parties at the expense of the National Party and to a lesser extent, the Labour Party.” Social Credit has yet to face up to women’s rights, but the abortion issue favours liberal candidates. The survey found that support for freely available abortions within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy has increased from 32 per cent to 46 per cent since 1976. Your correspondent should read Joss Shawyer’s “Death by Adoption” to learn how young people suffer from the prejudices of older people. — Yours, etc., ALAN WILKINSON. August 28, 1979.