SANCTITY OF LIFE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 15

SANCTITY OF LIFE

Sir, —In writing- this I feel certain that I am 'expressing the feelings ol many who read the remarkable statement by the Roman Catholic authorities towards birth control and allied social problems, as published in Friday's Herald. In this enlightened day and age surely there cannot be many who would agree with a church which says that it "condemns all direct nnd voluntary abortion, even if it be "therapeutic' in character, that is, performed to safeguard the mother's life or health." 1 do not think that any person who claims to be civilised can advocate refusal to operate when such an operation means saving the life of the mother.

We British people have always been justly proud of our race's instinct for justice; when the national conscience has told us that a law is wrong or unduly harsh, we have risen above the law and by moral force remedied the injustice. Never was this better illustrated than last month when twelve courageous and honest men, with the direction of a judge who reflects great credit on his high position, refused a conviction in the famous Bourne case. The people of Britain, through those men, declared that the life of a mother should not be sacrificed to an abstract principle. Any law that is unvarying is a wrong law. Provision should, and in any enlightened community would, be made for exceptions. I am aware that the Roman Catholic organ has attacked the judge and jury responsible for the acquittal of Mr. Bourne and has further questioned the English judicial system. But that system is for the benefit of all the people, not just the Roman Catholic element; and the laws of this country are the same. A more humane attitude will undoubtedly prevail here in time and the attitude of ihe Catholic leaders is opposed to justice, progress and humanity and should be repudiated by every woman, and every women's organisation in New Zealand. Gordon F. Ingham.