RIGHT TO DIE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20794, 10 February 1931, Page 11

RIGHT TO DIE.

CANON'S DECLARATION. INCURABLE SUFFERERS. LONDON, Feb. 8. "The clay will come when sane, humane men will realise that it is merciful in certain circumstances to permit suffeiing persons .to end their lives painlessly." This outspoken declaration in the face of the antagonism of iho Church is mado by Canon Pcfer Green, of Salford, in his new book') "The Problem of Right Conduct The author asks if the Church and Stale might not, under due safeguards and conditions, allow people to painlessly end their lives when malignant disease precludes their cure. Jn an interview to-day Canon Green agreed that there was "going to bo an awful row" about his views, but said they had been reached and written after bo had spoken to scores of doctors and clergymen. "When my mother was a girl," lie said, "she considered it sinful to give an anaesthetic because she believed God' sent pain and suffering. That day his gone. Scores of people whose fate was scaled have been allowed to linger in piisery. - "The wife of one such man said to me: Mf 1 kept, a dog in as much pain and Buffering as my husband I would be prosecuted.' "Suicide in such cases would allow a jnan to settle his affaire, bid farewell to his friends and receive the last rites of J-he Church.