SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20895, 26 November 1937, Page 4

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

METHODIST RESOLUTIONS Bv Telegraph —Press Association PALMERSTON N„ November 25. The Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu Synod of the Methodist Church, following the receipt of a special report concerning divorce and remarriage, with the control of abortion, adopted the following resolution: “That a minister may remarry a divorced person or persons if he is satisfied, after consultation with both parties to the proposed remarriage, that in entering into the same they have a sincere, honest purpose and the attitude of mind which is in conformity with the church’s view of what marriage should mean, and stand for.”

Concerning birth control the Synod adopted the conference’s special committee’s resolution stating: “whereas we believe marriage was ordained of God for the procreation of children and that parenthood within the married state is one of the greatest human privileges, we regard as morally wrong any limitation of families that is prompted by selfishness or by callous refusal to accept the responsibilities of parenthood of sex instincts, and iiidulgence of sex instincts. We are well aware that many factors, social, economic and even physical, are involved in the problem presented by limitation, but are of the opinion that an immoral cause is the chief root of a practice which threatens the nation and race with suicidal depletion. We therefore express unhesitatingly approval of the investigation undertaken by the Government Commission, as far as it has been carried, and urge the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider all matters arising from the former commission’s report.” “Without presuming to dictate particular courses of action, we ask tor the consideration of (1)) Legal provision that any justifiable termination of pregnancy be under adequate control; (2) strengthening the operation oi 'he law against criminal abortion; (3) prevention of easy access to contraceptives abortificients, morbid literature or other incitements to sexual vice; (4) suppression of advertisements calculated to intensify the present evil; (5) creation of means to lessen the medical expenses of confinement, to provide in needy cases for the care of youe.g children during the confinement of mothers, and to lessen the risks now attendant on childbirth.