BIRTH CONTROL.

Evening Star, Issue 20983, 23 December 1931, Page 12

BIRTH CONTROL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Were it not seeming to invite destruction by sheer weight of numbers I would say that it is a pity that you are “ not bo misled into an argument about birth control.” As I have before this there are too many important questions of the hour which it is “ inconvenient ” or impolitic to discuss publicly, but still there is the consolation that to-day, as formerly, the questions which are set aside for delicate handling or suppression will bo taken in the stride of a later time or generation. This brings me to the demur you express concerning my statement that “the churches have been forced to give way on the birth control question.” I see no necessity to qualify the statement as yet, and you are correct in suggesting that I had in mind, though not perhaps looming largest, the Lambeth Conference’s consent to birth control in certain restricted cases. I am, of course, alive to the qualifications attached to that measure of consent, but I am also aware that the principle has been granted, and when that is gained, even though, as usual, so far behind contemporary thought and teaching, it is something, and acceptable as one sign of advance. Of course, the Church of England is not the whole of Christianity, and one will be quickly reminded of the Homan Catholic Church and its unabated condemnation of limitation of families. Ido not wish to express opinions on this Homan Catholic attitude, as my feelings are rather too deep to allow of restraint in, stigmatising it, but I would like to say here also that the great Roman Church has given ground and granted the principle by allowing certain non-mechanical methods of prevention or limitation. I am not aware of any great Protestant

body which has had tho courage to condemn birth control.—l am, etc., E.W.F. [This correspondence is now closed. — Ed. E.S.]