COMBATING EVIL OF CRIMINAL ABORTION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 192, 11 May 1937, Page 10

COMBATING EVIL OF CRIMINAL ABORTION

Meeting- of 300 Women at New Plymouth REQUEST FOR SETTING UP OF COMMISSION Dominion Special Service. New Plymouth, May 10. An attendance of 300 women from New Plymouth and surrounding district's at a public meeting held this afternoon to hear Dr. Doris Gordon, Stratford, ou the subject of criminal abortion was an indication of the interest that has been aroused in a grave national problem. The meeting, which was arranged by the National Council of Women, passed the following resolutions: — (1) That the Government be thanked sincerely for initiating an inquiry into the various aspects of the problem of abortion in New Zealand and for its promptness in setting up a further committee of inquiry into maternity services, and that the appreciation of the community be conveyed to the firstnamed committee for the manner in which it discharged its duties, for its frank statement concerning the evidence received, and for its straightforward recommendations for reform. (2) That we respectfully urge- the Government to appoint a commission under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 190 S, the chairman of such a commission to be a Judge of the Supreme Court, for the purpose of: (a) Inquiring into and reporting upon the existing machinery of the law relating to criminal abortion and recommending legislation required to make it more effective; (b) Recommending legislation to govern and control the sale and advertisements of contraceptives and abortifacients. (3) That we respectfully urge that the report of the Committee of Inquiry which recently inquired into the foregoing matters, the disclosures made in the recently-published book “Gentlemen of the Jury,” and the overwhelming mass of other evidence show conclusively that there should be a thorough investigation and that the aboverequested tribunal would be the most effective for the purpose. • Dr. Gordon stressed the fact that the easiest part in the campaign against this social evil was to pass resolutions. What was more difficult, but most necessary, was that all men and women should face up and say: “What can we do within our own midst to protect the sanctity of the home and to exalt the duties of parenthood?” All Classes Concerned. The problem concerned all classes and creeds; it transcended party politics. The subject was New Zealand, and how long the race at present known as New Zealanders was to continue. National character was threatened, as wa s population, prosperity and progress. The problem bristled with difficulties, but that'was all the more reason for a united front from all sane members of the country. The Government report- had given the truth and had temporarily done its duty. In a democracy it was for the public to take the next step. Public opinion was the law-maker, and New Zealand citizens had been challenged to sort order out of their chaotic thoughts and tell the administrators of the country that this evil was to be faced and fought at any cost. The only way to fight successfully was to move in unison for effective laws and then to create a communal spirit to obey those laws. On May 12, continued Dr. Gordon, would be celebrated the coronation of the King and Queen, called unexpectedly to the responsibilities of royal office because Empire leaders voted as one man for a Court which should set an example of the best traditions of British home life. Did that suggest that the will to put their own house in order was gone? What better patriotism could they display at this period than to decide to strive long and hard to arrest the moral decay within their borders, to arrest the falling birth rate, to reinstate the child as the chief glory of the home, and to reinstate parenthood as the Divine privilege of all healthy couples? Education Necessary. Education would play a largo part in solving the problem. It appeared that from the infant department to university they were instructed in all means of subsistence iu life without attaching any importance to the reason of life. Youth was taught to attain this accomplishment and hat diploma, girls aspired to mechanical accuracy at the "rate of 70 words a minute,” and were instructed in the finer accoi# plishments of art and drama—they were instructed in everything but the art of living, which art was to see what one could give to life instead of seeking to find what one could get out of it.

Logically, the first step was to remove apathy, and the Government report had done that. The second step was to obtain adequate information as to what the evil meant, the extent of the evil, and its effects on the individual, the home and the State. The third step was to organise fighting forces of all sane and clean-thinking people, so that their energies were not dissipated in dozens of diverse channels. The obvious course demanded by all. said Dr. Gordon, appeared to be to ask for a Royal Commission, presided over by a judge and consisting of medical, legal and sociological experts. Band Being Organised. A group of well-known northern oitizens was at present drafting a nucleus of such a scheme. When they had a draft of suggested aims, objects and constitution it would be submitted to many prominent Dominion citizens, and thereafter it was hoped that something in the nature of a standing committee would be formed to correlate the activities. Until a Dominion committee was constituted the request for a Royal Commission would take the form of resolutions only, but it was expected later to make it the basis of a widely-supported petition. Dr. Gordon said it seemed that some form of adequate children's allowances was imperative. If children were the supreme need of the State, and if parenthood were the supreme duty of fit and healthy couples, then not even the most hidebound conservative mind would say it was just that a childless couple should have £3OO a year to themselves while A virile couple next door should have £3OO for themselves and four children. Dr. Gordon added a warning about “throwing verbal bricks” nt childless couples, as medical experience showed that 10 per cent, of all couples were naturally sterile. Reform, she concluded, must always be preceded by an understanding knowledge, and the reformers should adopt an attitude of calm openmindedness and should avoid harsh criticism until they knew it was merited.