PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL ABORTION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 154, 26 March 1938, Page 12

PROBLEM OF CRIMINAL ABORTION

Important Statement By Committee Of Wellington Citizens

SUGGESTED REMEDIES FOR SOCIAL EVIL

Recommendation That Legislation Be Strengthened Following the publication of the McMillan Repoit on the incidence of criminal abortion in New Zealand the Bishop of Wellington, the Rt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, instituted a citizens committee some months ago to consider ways and means of combating the evil. , , , ~ , ~ The committee was drawn from the churches, the medical and legal professions, educational bodies and social service organisations. It issued a statement yesterday which examines many aspects of the problem and suggests remedies. . After enumerating certain principles governing a reasonable ' and decent outlook on life,” the statement gives considerable attention to education. Birth control, early marriage and economic and legislative questions are also fully dealt with. . - / It is recommended that the law should be tightened up o restrict the sale of abortifacients and, contraceptives, and that therapeutic abortion be made notifiable. The statement is as follows

The emergence of the question of abortion into public view and open debate has shocked the people of New Zealand as few other moral and social questions have done for some years. Little consolation is found in the knowledge that this is not the only country affected by a malady that, is as indicative of moral slackness as it Ig/threatening to national health and well-being. Yet, in the face of such evidence as the country has seen, id is of little avail to wring our hands helplessly and do nothing to meet a menace so grave. This statement has -been prepared after a study of the matter in the light of the evidence of the McMillan Report as well as that of social workers of varied experience and different points of view. There is no desire merely to scold or engage in useless browbeating, but rather to affirm that there remain such things as “common decencies of life,” and to suggest how they may best be preserved. Basic Questions. At the outset it is necessary to get down to basic questions. If abortion were just a problem of the unmarried woman (as a perusal of court cases might erroneously suggest), the solution might be much simpler than it is. But since the McMillan Report shows that the great majority of abortions are practised on married women, it becomes more necessary to ask: What is behind all this? Of whab is it the symptom? The answer may be found to have a bearing not only on abortion but algo on the whole range of sex morality. The answer that seems most cogent is perhaps that of Professor Carr-Saun-ders in his Galton Lecture of 1935 (Eugenics Review Vol. 27, No. 1). We have passed rapidly from an age wheu children were the inevitable accompaniment of married life into an age of voluntary parenthood. Fifty years and more ago there was, generally speaking, no attitude to size of family; that settled itself. But now the knowledge—or even half knowledge—of the mechanics of contraceptives and abortifacients is so widespread that the sexual act, by many, is no longer regarded as having a normal and natural issue in parenthood. What has hitherto been natural and normal in human experience is now to be optional and voluntary. With the provision of so many new devices it is now assumed to be possible for married people to determine whether their union shall be childless or their, family limited. Such parenthood as they decide will be selfdetermined and self-delimited. Far-reaching Power. It may be questioned whether among all the new powers science has given to humanity, to be used for life or death, there is any other so far-reaching as this. Professor Carr-Saunders’s own words are: “Voluntary parenthood is the greatest innovation that the human race has ever made,” and “Let it be said clearly that the escape from the unlimited family makes a very great step forward in human history. The problem is to adjust outlook to the responsibility involved by the transition to the voluntary family system" (ibid, p. 19, and “World Population,” 1936, p. 258). In the hands of men and women of marriageable age, as never before, are the issues of life and death. How will they use this power? To lift the race or to destroy it? That is the question underlying all that follows here. Unfortunately, with the use of this new power there has begun a disintegration of the generally accepted standards of behaviour. A purely intellectual approach to the problems involved in this disintegration is unrealistic and inadequate. Spiritual and emotional factors are of first importance, and notice must be taken of what is generally or widely recognised to be right or wrong. An appeal must be made to the intuition and conscience to the community to realise in which direction change is required in its interests. With this must be coupled an appeal to the courage of the community to make the required change. THE PRINCIPLES t Approaching the subject in this way, an attitude to certain vital questions can be determined, as expressed, in the following decisions: — I. —Abortion, except for valid therapeutic reasons, is wrong. Who will deny that individual human life and personality are sacred? Is not this sacredness fundamental in the Christian and Jewish and other religions? Is not something akin to' this belief behind tbe dissatisfaction that many feel with regard to the present economic system? Indeed it is also inherent in the defence made by those who support that system. As soon as conception occurs, there is life and personality in being. They are sacred. The destruction then of these, even though still in the embryonic state, is wrong, unless it is to safeguard the health or life of the mother. 11. Action to eradicate criminal abortion is urgently required. According to the estimate given in the report of the Government committee. the effect of tbe prevalence of criminal abortion on the birth rate is in itself serious enough—looo children lost to the country in one year (McMillan Report, pp. 8 and 37). But the effect upon the mothers is even more ■erious, and is seen not merely in the increase in deaths from septic abortion, but also in tbe way in which it lias been responsible for undermining maternal health, often producing

sterility. There are also the harmful moral effects upon the community when abortion comes to be regarded almost as a matter of course. The alarming increase, then, in the practice of criminal abortion (as shown by published official figures), with the corresponding increase in septic abortion and maternal mortality, calls for immediate action on the part of the Government and of all who have the welfare of our country at heart to eradicate, if possible, the practice of criminal abortion from our land. 111. Regulation of families by birth control is not condemned. It is here necessary to distinguish between the prevention of conception, which involves the taking of steps to see that, when intercourse takes place, no new life is conceived, and abortion, which involves the destruction of that new life which has already begun. While the latter is to be condemned, the right is to be recognised of parents to space their families by conception-con-trol. It is obvious that parents must have this right to regulate their families, whatever may be said of the means by which it is to be accomplished. There are some who believe that it should only be done by abstinence from intercourse; and if marriage were only for the procreation of children, this would be the only logical attitude to take up. But, in the words of the Revised Prayer Book of the Anglican Church, marriage was also ordained “in order that the natural instincts and actions implanted by God should be hallowed and directly aright, that those who are called of God to this holy estate should continue therein in pureness of living.” We therefore are not prepared to condemn the disciplined use of contraceptives in marriage. . IV. Extra-marital Sexual Intercourse Is Wrong. Easy access to contraceptives lias increased the incidence of sexual intercourse outside the married state, having very largely removed the fear of the consequences of such illicit intercourse. It becomes necessary, therefore, to reassert the standard built up out of the .experience of humanity, that, apart from the question of children, extramarital intercourse is wrong. To indulge in sexual intercourse outside marriage means that, rnarriage, when it comes, is robbed of some part of its real value. Moreover, within the marriage state the act is not a furtive one, and has its natural place in a relationship in which there will always be a variety of adjustments and disciplines. Indeed, no course of action can ever be right for individuals, which, if practised extensively throughout society as a whole, would cause grave danger to the race. And it can be shown that if the practice of extra-marital sexual intercourse were to become general tbe result would be social chaos. V. Action is Required to Encourage Continence Among Unmarried People. The easy access to contraceptives already mentioned, as well as the increasing facilities for abortion existing today, together with a lowering of the moral tone of the community, have led to an increase in the incidence of intercourse amongst the uhmarried. Every effort should be made to combat this tendency; and this should be done by making contraceptives more difficult of access tp young people, taking measures to curtail the activities of the abortionists, and at the same time striving to raise the moral standard of the community, so that such extra-marital sexual intercourse shall no longer be looked upon as being, if not perfectly legitimate, at least not very reprehensible. Efforts should be made to encourage continence. This should be done, above all, by educational methods and by an appeal for the recognition of the spiritual values of life. There should also be the removal, as far as possible, of the circumstances and conditions which tend to stimulate sexual excitement, such as drinking at dances, the display and sale of pornpgraphic literature and the exhibition of sexual-ly-toned advertisements. THE PROGRAMME The following suggestions, based on the principles just enunciated, are offered as a practical .contribution toward solving this grave problem of criminal abortion: 1. On education and propaganda. One of the most hopeful aspects of this problem is the frank and helpful attitude of the young men and wonibn of to-day. There is great danger in haphazard and unenlightened instruction in sex-hygiene; but an improved moral standard should result from organised instruction and wisely controlled propaganda such as I-— (a) Sex-hygiene instruction in homes and schools. The natural and best place for instruction in sex matters is always the home, and the most appropriate instructors are the parents. There are many indications that thoughtful parents are gravely concerned about the wisest way to give this instruction to their own'children. The common mistake is not to begin early enough, and, when the children are older, both parents and children are faced with real difficulties of self-consciousness. Therefore special courses of study and the provision of suitable literature for parents are recommended.

In view of the regrettable absence or inadequacy of home training, the chief hope for the immediate future in this

matter seems to lie in the schools. The time has arrived for educational authorities iu New Zealand to face the problem of how best to give instruction in sex matters to the children in their schools. The complexity of modern life has converted the school from a place of instruction alone to a social entity in itself. The school curriculum is being constantly adapted to meet the manifold and diverse demands of a complete preparation for life. The current syllabus of instruction issued . by the Education Department provides for lessons on circulation, digestion, secretion, breathing and other functions of tbe human body, but makes no mention of reproduction—perhaps the most vital function of all. Yet, as long ago as 1921 (Dec.) and 1922 (Nov.) there appeared in the “Education Gazette” two articles on “Sex Education," written by Dr. E. 11. Wilkins, Director, Division of School Hygiene. The first article discusses the foundation and purpose of sex education, the latter being “to help young people to face the problem of sex with better enlightenment and higher ideals.” The second article attempts “a brief general sketch of the practical application of the principles previously outlined,” and is concluded with an editorial commendation of it to the “careful consideration’’ of teachers, with a warning against precipitate and unauthorised action. Here the matter appears to have rested; but surely it is time that the good work begun by Dr. Wilkins should be resumed. Instruction in sex hygiene, to be effective, must in no way be divorced from ordinary normal school activities. As Dr. Wilkins has said (Education Gazette, Dec., 1921)“Sex education should not appear in the curriculum as a new or special subject ... it is not a special or technical subject. It may be developed by an expansion of subjects which are already in the school course. Repoit on Abortion. “Nature study, morals and civics, history, literature, physical training, and the general activities of school .life afford much opportunity for the inculcation of the knowledge essential to a rational sex attitude, or sound social principles and general healtby-minded-ness.” In the case of children of primary school age, there should be no difficulty as instruction can be easily and effectively introduced into the object lessons and Nature study lessons which form part of the school syllabus. Such a series of lessons might very well terminate in a simple explanation of the sex instinct in animal life, and of the supreme importance of parenthood and the family in human life. ■ Problem More Acute. In the secondary schools the problem is much more acute, as self-conscious-ness of both pupil and teacher is involved. One of the biological sciences —botany, zoology, biology, physiology —should form part of the course of every secondary school pupil. It is of the utmost importance that the knowledge thus gained .should be consbiously related to hunihn life and behaviour. No instruction iu sex hygiene can be really satisfactory unless pupils gain from it a realisation that the whole matter of sex has a definite spiritual significance, and that human relationships are governed by spiritual values. Who is to give this instruction in the secondary schools? Isolation of either subject or the teacher of sex hygiene is fraught with danger. The instruction must be arranged as part of the regular school curriculum. Moreover, instruction should be given only by someone well qualified; for instance, the headmaster or mistress, a teacher of science or a school doctor; provided always that such a teacher is sufficiently well-known to, and intimately connected with the pupils to command their respect, confidence and co-opera-tion. In conclusion the objective of the home and the school should be to see that every child crows up equipped with a knowledge of the biological facts of sex, and a realisation of the close connection of sex with moral, social and spiritual experiences of life. (b) Instruction to Engaged and Married Couples Many sexual mal-adjustments, including those underlying criminal abortion, are traceable to the ignorance or halfknowledge of young people entering marriage. aFpresent there are few reliable sources of infoimiation for engaged or for married couples. There are no official sources of instruction or advice; the whole community is failing—parents, married friends, schools, churches, the medical profession—for very few couples enter upon marriage equipped with all the knowledge that religion and science can give. Married people and those about to be married should have.detailed information on the relevant fact of sexphysiology, and on the normal experience of tbe man and the woman during intercourse. They should understand the pre-natal development of the child, the processes of birth, and the existing facilities for the care of the mother and child before and after birth. Instruction should be given, too, in the best means for regulating families safely and intelligently, and in the dangers of abortion. Pamphlets dealing with the above matters should be made available in every registrar’s office for fieo distribution with marriage licences.

(c) Action by the Church and Other

Religious Agencies. It is clear from the moral implications, that the Church and other religious agencies cannot remain silent on this matter. If the proper ground of sex instruction were covered in the homes and schools of the people, tlwse bodies might feel themselves relieved of much responsibility. But for many years to come ordinary men and women will be looking elsewhere for the guidance that home and school might have given. Admittedly, it is difficult to speak to mixed audiences on all phases of the matter; yet those audiences are too often left with vf.gue sentiments divorced from facts of which every thinking man and woman should be made aware.

As far as can be seen, the Chqrcb and other religious agencies have only recently begun to think of tbe dangers that surround the growing practice of abortion. The Church is, by its nature, interested in the question of sin rather than of crime. The mass of sin lying behind the abortion figures suggests that what is required is greater concentration of thought and action on this problem by the Church generally, and religious teachers in particular. Much might be done to dissipate the moral and religious ignorance that often leads to illicit sex-experiment. Appropriate classes could be arranged with tbe Help of the medical profession, and the valuable opportunities could be used which arise when young people approach the minister to arrange their marriage.

It was never truer than in this matter that prevention is better than cure. For, while State aid and certain prohibitions may do much to clear out some dangerous corners, (he ultimate issue is in tbe attitude of the people themselves. What is so urgently needed is a new outlook on parenthood and married life, and a higher sense of re-

sponsibility toward sex in the unmartried. The development of this outlook and an enhanced sense of the nation’s mission will do most in this matter. After all, if sexual sin is physically safer than it used to be —and no one can deny this—the appeal must be to the higher regions of the human spirit; for licence in sexual matters has more than physical dangers. We recognise that the Church will, naturally, consider that its main task is to teach those who come within its influence that the complete solution of all human problems lies in the right relationship of men and women to God. It would teach that, only when sex in all its aspects is regarded as ordained of God and to be used for His glory, and not merely for self-grati-fication, can that instinct ever be free from perversions of which abortion is a disastrous example. Above all, while recognising that social measures can alleviate the trouble, the Church would emphasise that the cure can only be found in the realm of the Spirit. (d) Publicity regarding the dangers ..attending and following criminal abortion. This paragraph refers only to the physical dangers, but it must not be forgotten that there are also psychological and social dangers. Patent preparations advertised as abortifacients are, for the most part, useless for the purpose of procuring abortion, and contain certain drugs which may cause considerable damage to health. (McMillan Report, pp. 7 and 27). When abortion is produced by mechanical interference there is great danger of hemorrhage, due to incomplete evacuation of the uterus, and of sepsis, due to the introduction of germs into the tissues through the carelessness or ignorance of the operator.

Apart, however, from such immediate the more remote effects of artificially induced abortion on health are positively disastrous. Sterility, nervous disorders, glandular disharmony, and chronic invalidism are among these effects; and the experience of Russia has conclusively shown the terrible reality of these dangers. (McMillan Report, p. 32). It is of the first importance that the facts of these dangers should be given appropriate publicity in order to combat that indifference which arises from ignorance, and to leave to the “patient” no grounds for misguided expectation of a harmless experience. Since many regard abortion as the reserve line of defence should contraception fail, publicity about the dangers thereof must be accompanied by an indication of«reliable sources or instruction in effective contraceptive methods.

(e) Propaganda regarding the dangers of national suicide.

This is necessarily a subject on which it is difficult to arouse the conscience of most people. Concern for posterity seldom goes beyond the second or third generation, even in one’s own family. Altruistic and 'patriotic sentiments, moreover, are not easily invoked in a domain which most jteople feel to be peculiarly their own affair. Nevertheless it should be possible to arouse the interest of men and women in tile national, as distinct from the personal effects of the misuse of sex.

Tbe facts are well known to statisticians. Figures prove that even if the present birth-rate in New Zealand is maintained, yet, the net production rate being less than unity, the ultimate decline of the nation is inevitable. (See Carr-Saunders: “World Population”— 1930—Chapter 10; and Kaczynski: “The Measurement of Population Growfli”—l93s). The net reproduction rate is the ratio, after allowing for subsequent mortality, of girl babies (potential mothers) to the total female population that gave rise to them. In New Zealand this rate has fallen from 1.375 about 1911 to 0.978 in 1933. Obviously, as many women do not marry, those who do must provide, on the average, more than one girl baby each to ensure maintenance qf the population. As girl babies number half, approximately, of the babies born, it is clear that even an average family of three children might scarcely maintain the numerical strength of the nation (see also chapter 17 of “World Population”). While knowledge of these truths is not likely to cleanse the moral life of the nation, yet it is necessary to bring forcibly before people the very serious results’ of the crime of abortion and of the unrestricted use of contraception. Propaganda for this purpose might follow the spirit, though not necessarily the form, of the wartime call to active service or self-denial. Use might be made of the press, radio and screen. Reference should also be made to those things in British culture which form a peculiar gift to tbe world, and best justify the continuance of our race.

(f) Suitable Literature. Suitable literature should, cover Hie following aspects of the problem: (1) For children and young adolescents; (2) general knowledge for older adolescents and adults; (3) information about sexual experience for those about to be married (or married already) ; (4) Information for.the married about pre and post-natal and natal care of mother and child; (5) (lie dangers of abortion and the availability of eon traceptive advice.

11. On Birth Control. The McMillan Report , states (p. 24) —"There can be no doubt that there is a widespread uncontrolled and illinstructed use of contraceptives,” and suggests (p. 38) as one line of action : • the direction of birth-control knowledge through more responsible channels, where, while the methods would be more reliable, the responsibilities and privileges of motherhood, tile advisability of self-discipline in certain directions, and other aspects of tlie matter would be discussed.” Such "responsible channels" can be only :— (1) The medical practitioners: (2) clinics attached to St. Helen's Hospital; (3) clinics attached to public hospitals. 1. Tlie family doctor or obstetrician is tlie person with whom most women would prefer to discuss these problems, and from whom they would most readily accept advice. There are practitioners throughout the Dominion who are able ami willing to supply the necessary information. 2. Some 9 per cent, of all confinements take place in the various St. Helen’s Hospitals. As the women in this large group have in general no private practitioner, these hospitals should provide, through clinics, adequate information on family spacing This provision should be a definite duty of the State, which lias complete control of these institutions, and which therefore could provide facilities available in no other way to this section of the community. 3. Again, many women leave public hospitals' after serious illnesses or operations, for whom it is of the utmost importance that no early pregnancy should occur. Here, again, the community has a definite obligation to see that, through the Hospital Boards, suit able clinics are established.

111. On Early Marriage. There is a wide-spread idea that the abortion evil and tlie loosening of sexual restraint is partly due to an increased period of waiting before marriage can be undertaken, and that the delay is- duo to the pressure of economic conditions which are thought to

be more rigorous to-day, if regarded in relation to the modern demand for a closer approach to a luxury-standard of living. This idea is based on the belief that the average age at marriage is significantly greater than it was, say, 40 years ago. This’is not true. The following figures from the official New Zealand Year Books show up this error plainly:— The average age at marriage was for

These figures cover the longest timerange available, but are not the most significant for the purpose of this statement. Obviously, the concern here is with people who marry for the first time. Statistics showing this are only available for a few years back. The following figures for 1935 will show the general degree of correction to be made to the above figures:—

It is necessary, in the interests of clear thinking thus to clear the ground of misconception.

Whatever be the reason for the relative lateness in the times of marriage, it would be to the advantage of the community if barriers to early marriage could be removed, and if public opinion were to come to favour this change. Other things being equal, earlier marriage gives both physical and moral advantages. It is the mar ried people who, for the most part, give stability to society. It is important that earlier marriage should -carry with it the expectation of children. In the phrase “earlier marriage" is contemplated an average age at marriage of 25 for bachelors and 23 for spinsters. IV. On Economic Obstacles to Larger Families. In some cases\ the practices of con traception and abortion by married couples arise from their belief iu the economic necessity of limiting the number of their children. Consequently the’ economic obstacles to larger families should be lessened. But it must be admited that “economic necessity” is a. relative term and subject to “private interpretation.” Schemes such as the provision of free maternity services, the granting of maternity bonuses, and similar aids to indigent mothers will obviously all tend to lessen the economic obstacles to larger families; but they are not touched on here as they are at present the subject of consideration by the Government.

There are four items of importance for,the facilitation of larger families:

(a) Larger Houses. If there are to be larger families, houses must be built capable of accommodating them in reasonable comfort. Four-roomed houses containing two bedrooms cannot be regarded as standard houses from this point of view. It would be much better for the general welfare of the community if couples with no children or with up to, say, two children, should continue to occupy apartments or flats; but only so long as encouragement was given to the erection of larger houses, or State grants were made available for extending existing houses where evidence was available that increasing family needs required it. (b) Family Allowances.

As family allowances were inaugurated under a, non-Labour administration and continued under tlie present Government they are not a question of party politics. The very basis on which these allowances are available presupposes the genuineness of the ease and eliminates the possibility of objection on tlie ground of abuse; for family allowances cease if the parents deliberately regulate their income to qualify for the allowance. Unless these allowances are to be made a mockery and a farce, they must truly meet the needs of the indigent family. This is not done by the present allowance of 2/- a child a week for each child over two in number. The head of a family may earn a maximum of £4 a week without- disqualifying himself for the allowance under the statute. If £4 a week is regarded as the minimum on which husband, wife, and two children can live, no one would be bold enough to agree that £4/2/adequately provides for husband, wife, and three children, and £4/4/- for them and the fourth child.

The Family Allowance, should be a willing contribution of the State to Hie proper rearing of a child whose arrival is hailed as a welcome addition- to the country’s population. The knowledge that the State, by an' adequate housing policy and by proper family allowances, was prepared to back up parents in their willingness to maintain tbe birth-rate, would in a very .real way tend to reduce the abortion evil among many who use it as a way of escape only' because of economic circumstances.

(c) Concessions by Public Services to or in favour of Children.— Two possible concessions by public services are: 1. Increase of deductions from income for taxation assessment on account of children: It is questionable whether the present allowance of £5O per child deduction from assessable incomes is sufficient. It is also suggested that the age of the child should be extended so as to cover the whole of its school life.

2. Extension of concessions in travelling fares: These concessions (other than for “school” tickets on trams) generally cease at 12 years. This gives rise to a very real sense of grievance in parents. On all trains, Hams and public vehicles operating under licence, redue'ed rates should be. prescribed for all sclidol children. The above concessions are to be distinguished from “family allowances in that they should be independent, of the income or earning power of the head of the family.

(d) Household Management and Increased Mother’s Help Ser,vice.— The difficulty or impossibility of obtaining adequate household help is universally recognised, and it is admitted to be one factor in the complex problems behind the incidence of criminal abortion. Another is the mother’s lack of training in household management. Physical over-fatigue and nervous strain in the mother due to lack of help or to lack of familiarity witli household work and children is certainly no encouragement, to parenthood, and is a positive discouragement to tlie kind of intelligent parenthood of most value to.the community. The whole question of household occupation. training, status and conditions of employment for women, as well as the teaching of household management in schools is one on which increasing emphasis should be laid. The need of increased Mother’s Help Services is recognised in that part of

tbe McMillan Report that deals with the relief of economic stress as one of the remedial measures (pp. 18-20). In harmony with those recommendations, the following suggestions for action are made: —

1. Immediate action in co-ordination and development of approved existing facilities on sound lines with Government recognition and support is required. Several services exist which at present touch only a few families needing those services. The Emergency Housekeeper Scheme of the ■Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union is already on a national scale. All are strictly limited in scope and usefulness for reasons of finance, but the methods developed and experience gained by voluntary organisations should be utilised and co-ordinated. 2. The creation of a National Home Service Corps, as mentioned in the McMillan Report, is required. 3. The calling of a conference to consider:— (1) Existing facilities for training; (2) schemes already in operation here and abroad; (3) development and research in architecture and kitchen equipment; (4) recognition of service in the home as skilled ; (5) hostel accommodation, certificate and badge; (6) conditions of employment.

ON LEGISLATIVE ASPECTS

(a) Contraceptives and Abortifacients. It is recommended that legislation should provide:— (1) That the sale of abortifacients to tile public should be permitted to registered chemists only, and then only on a doctor’s prescription. x „ (2) That the advertisement of abortifacients, directly or indirectly, should be forbidden, except in official pharmaceutical or medical publications. (3) That the sale of contraceptives to- the public should be permitted by registered chemists only. (4) That the sale of contraceptives to single people under age should be forbidden. (5) That the advertisement of contraceptives, directly or indirectly, should be forbidden except in official pharmaceutical or medical publications.

(b) Women Police. There is believed to be a widespread public opinion iu favour of women police, it is recommended that the Legislature should give effect to this proposal as an experiment, the future policy to be guided by results. It is suggested that women police could be allotted certain specific duties, including the supervision of dance-halls and drinking in motor-cars parked adjacent thereto. There are many other duties that could be well handled by capable women police; but it Is,not necessary to enumerate them here. (c) Therapeutic Abortion. It is suggested that the present law in regard to therapeutic abortion be changed. As the law stands, any medical practitioner who terminates a pregnancy on whatever grounds, commits a crime. On the other hand, it is a fact that no medjeal practitioner in New Zealand has been brought before the authorities and penalised for terminating a pregnancy in a genuine attempt to preserve maternal life or health. We consider that the law should be re-enacted to exempt from liability the fully qualified practitioner who terminates a pregnancy for the bona fide purpose of preserving the mother from special danger to life or health. If the law were to be so changed, a desirable precaution would be to make the performance of therapeutic abortion “notifiable.” It is considered that such changes would clarify and strengthen the legal position with respect to illegal operations. In the foregoing statement, the problem of the moral and social menace oij, criminal abortion has been set down for solution, and certain principles upon which that solution should be based have been put forward. On the foundation of these principles, a programme for action has been outlined as a practical contribution to the solution of this grave problem. The statement is the result of the thought and labour of a group of nearly forty people of various occupations and interests who have been meeting in Wellington during the last nine mouths. Those whose names are given below as signing the statement do so recognising that they are iu substantial agreement on the general principles and recommendations contained therein. While some of them may be doubtful about certain points, all are agreed that this statement concerning criminal abortion presents constructive methods of meeting the present state of dangerous laxity in this respect of social conduct.

Signatures:— Herbert Wellington, Bishop of Wellington (chairman,). Frederick 11. Adams, the Commissioner. The Salvation Army, New Zealand. Elsie M. Beaglehole, member. Federation of University Women. R. Hardie Boys, barrister and solicitor. Maude Bullock, William Bullock, archdeacon and vicargeneral. Frank Campbell, company manager. Joan E. Cochran. M.A., member of Student Christian Movement. Agues R. Dullard, Society for the Protection of Women and Children. lan B. Ewart. M.D., member of New Zealand Obstetrical and Gynecological Society. Solomon Katz, rabbi. A. S. Kempthorn, Dominion secretary, , Toe 11. C./E. Kirk, Dominion secretary. Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Nora I’. McDonald, central committee, I'lunket Society. J. Thompson Macky, convener, public questions committee of the Presbyterian Church. E. McNeil. Women's Division, New Zealand Farmers’ Union, F. F. Miles, professor, Victorin Univer. , sity College. 11. W. Newell, Congregational minister. E. M. North, principal-elect, Wellington East Girls' College. W. Olphert, solicitor. Dominion school secretary, Toe 11. Percy Paris, Methodist minister. Nellie Peryman, editor of "The White Ribbon.” A. B. Smith. Dominion secretary. Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. F. C. Spratt, barrister and solicitor. Joseph Sutcliffe, Scots College, Wellington. Charles Walls, lieutenant-colonel. Salvation Army. I G. Willis, president, Registered Nurses' Association (Wellington branch l. W. 11. B. Bull. F.R.C.S.E., surgeon. Ivor Vickery Newman, Ph.l).. lecturer in Botany, Victoria University College. Dr. Bull and Mr. Newman are joint honorary secretaries.

Iii 1893 Men & women 29.72 25.07 Then rose, with minor Huetuations till in 1S9S 29.95 Then fell, with minor fluctuations till in 1904 29.00 Then rose, with minor fluctuations till in 1913 30.15 Then rose, with minor fluctuations till in 1918 31.57 and 27.16 Then fell, with minor fluctuations till in 1930 28.47 and 25.83 Then rose, witli minor fluctuations til in 1935 29.94 (in 1933) and 20.27

Average Age at Marriage During 1035. u ra © o E z» O u fc £ It * t a - 0 © > « « £ 2 tt q a 2 .S Sc © £ G Et tf 28.18 50.28 25.08 06.08 4 u.3