SOCIAL EVILS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 September 1941, Page 5

SOCIAL EVILS

DR. N. H. PRIOR ADDRESSES. WOMEN’S MEETING. INCREASE IN CRIMINAL ABORTION. An address dealing with the part women could play in connection with remedying social evils was given by Dr. N. H. Prior to a meeting of. women held last night in the Country Women’s Club, Masterton. Mrs K. Groves presided over a good attendance. Dr. Prior had received previously a copy of resolutions relating to social evils, passed by meetings of women held in Masterton. Dr. Prior said that today so many social problems had to be faced that women could give great assistance. He gave instances of reforms for which women’s organisations were responsible and indicated ways in. which they could make their influence be felt, particularly in matters affecting the welfare of children. He referred to the removal of the right of judges to sentence criminals and sexual offenders to a flogging and to the fact that an ex-judge of the Supreme Court, with years of experience, had pointed out the danger of removing this deterrent. He condemned the action taken by legislation and expressed his opinion that it was a matter that could be taken up by women with a view to putting it right. Referring to criminal abortion, Dr. Prior said that for many years it had been greatly on the increase. For every six ordinary births in New Zealand there was one case of -criminal abor-. tion. The recommendations of the committee of inquiry had not been followed by any legislation to improve matters. The causes of criminal abortion were many. One was due to the selfishness of women who preferred a life of pleasure to the rearing of a family. The incidence of criminal abortion, he said, was greater among married women than among unmarried women. More mothers died today from criminal abortion than from child birth. The pain and risk of normal child birth were becoming less and less and the risk of death from criminal abortion more and more. Even when death did not intervene the health of the mother was frequently ruined and wrecked her whole married life. Today it was almost impossible to get a jury to convict in cases concerning criminal abortion, in spite of the clearest evidence. Dr. Prior said women were doing useful work in many ways by getting together and he hoped they would continue to do so. Mrs Groves thanked Dr. Prior foi* his address, at a time when he was so busy. Seconding the motion, Mrs Snowsill stressed the beauty of a home where there were children. Reports on the resolutions passed by earlier meetings were read from different organisations. Mrs Speight spoke on a proposal to form a branch of the National Council of Women. It was agreed that the resolutions adopted previously be forwarded to various Cabinet Ministers as representing a cross-section of public opinion in Masterton.