THE QUESTION OF ABORTION

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 11

THE QUESTION OF ABORTION

A DEFINITE STAND TAKEN MEMBERS OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTE (United Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 23. A definite stand on the question of abortion was taken by 120 delegates of the Taranaki Women’s Institutes here this morning following an address byDr Doris Gordon, the author of a book on the subject of the evils of abortion in New Zealand. The following resolutions were carried unanimously: (1) The report of the Committee of Inquiry into abortion, in conjunction with the evidence revealed in the book “Gentlemen .of The Jury” discloses a state of affairs of the utmost seriousness and importance, requiring the urgent consideration of the Government and all associations and persons having the interests of the State at heart. (2) It appears that the administration of the law relating to criminal abortion is not effective, and .that the legal position in regard to sterilisation requires definition. (3) This meeting heartily endorses the committee’s recommendations that pain-relieving measures in childbirth be more widely used, that the problem of domestic help for mothers be remedied and that new laws be framed governing the sale and advertisement of contraceptives, abortifacients and socalled “regulators.” (4) This meeting in particular urges the Government at once to appoint a Royal Commission under the chairmanship of a Judge of the Supreme Court with the object of (a) considering the existing machinery of the law relating to criminal abortion and recommending amendments and extensions to make it more effective; (b) definig the New Zealand law in reference to sterilization, and recommending the legislation to provide for modem conditions; (c) framing laws governing the sale and advertisement of contraceptives, abortifacients and “regulators” with the necessary machinery for ensuring that these laws be rigidly enforced.