BIRTH CONTROL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 11

BIRTH CONTROL.

• TO THE ZDITOtt OF "TILE PErsS." ' Sir, —For somo years past vre have been recommended—in fact, I might sav, almost implored—to "keep the cradles full," but according to recent cables from England a reversal of that policy is being advocated.' The Bishop of Birmingham states that it is a crime to have children, and he is supported by, your correspondent "Prudence." The I high dignitary of the Church having thus given his opinion, the Law, in the person of .Judgo Cluer, ventures its approval. This judge says that large families not only ruin the individual parents, but ruin the country and practically, advocates the teaching of birth control to prospective parents. This new policy, thus fostered by the Church, the Law and the Wise Man (Prudence), being a complete reversal of ouv former school of thought, places us, as ordinary individuals, in a dilemma. What are we to do? Can rou no; give us a lead as to -which school to follow? Are. we to support and foster the sale of noxious drugs and pernicious literature and legalise the abortionist, for such are necessary adjuncts of birth, control? Aro our empty spaces to remain as such through want of population, or must we ■ people ; them' with men of alien race, thus preparing tho way for .the downfall of our Empire? The presence of mercenaries and aliens contributed to the fall of the Great Roman Empire of old. Iso! Let us. rather encourage tho production of our own kind, so. that the lands of the Empire may be held by people of B.ritish birth, British thought and' British education. . Thus, and . thus only, we majntain our place amongst the nations. 'Has ' the time come , when the British Empire cannot .support the ordinary growth' of population? Perish the thought! I venture to think that we still havef statesmen with us who can 'formulate measures to provido' useful .employment and satisfactory living con'ditions fo? our. unborn millions.' 'By advocating this, foul doctrino of birth control these. representatives of theChurch and Law are "direct actionists" of tho worst degree—the .prevention'-of "life being.equivalent to the taking of life. I can but. think that it is the taxation which .they'are rightly ctilled ..upqni- to .tdwarxls ,tJ»o. .uplift-* ing of the less favoured of out. p.opula-' tion whicli causes them to cry out. ; for birth control; but by that cry they stigmatise themselves as unworthy 'of the narno of Britons, for to save their own pockets and to enjoy their selfish pleasures they would see our Empire crash in ruins. I appeal .to you or to somo more able correspondent than myself to tako up this subjec.t and endeavour 'to prevont this insidious doctrine obtaining a stranglehold on ' our country.—Yours, etc., •/ • L. COLERIDGE.