RIGHT TO SUICIDE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 February 1931, Page 8

RIGHT TO SUICIDE

CHURCHMAN'S BOLD STAND. PREVENTING SUFFERING. (United Crew Ajaooiatloa—By Electrio Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON. Lei.. 7. "The day has come when bane, humane men realise that it is merciful in certain circumstances to permit buttering persons to end their lives without pain." This outspoken declaration in the lace of the ( liurehks antagonism is made by Canon Peter Green, of Salford. in a now hook on the problem of right of conduct. It asks outright i! the Church and the State might not allow one under due safeguards and conditions to painlessly end his life u hen a malignant disease precludes a cure.

Interviewed to-day, the writer agreed Unit there was going to be an awl id row regarding his statement, but his views had been reached and written after they had been referred to scores of doctors and clergymen, nine of whom disagreed. ‘‘When my mother was a girl it was oensidered sinful to give an anaesthetic because it was believed that God sent pain and suffering," he said. • That, day is gone, yet scores whose fate is sealed are allowed to linger in misery. The wife of one such said to m :e ‘I f one kept a. dog in as much pain as -my husband is suffering, one would lie prosecuted.’ ” Canon Green adds .that suicide in such cases would allow men to settle their allairs, hid farewell to their friends, and receive the last, rites of the Church.