sonal
knowledge the same ante-natal care (indeed, since these patients are
resident in the home and under close observation, more complete care)
is given and the same methods of pain relief are used.

It is only right that these reassuring facts should be made public.

Regarding the provision for the children in these cases, while we are
satisfied that the State and the various organisations responsible for
their care deal with them in a kindly and sympathetic manner, we agree
that every effort should be made to give them a fair prospect in life,
to avoid any stigma, and to keep secret their misfortune.

It has been suggested by one witness that the privacy of an unmarried
mother's affairs has been interfered with the present regulations
regarding the notification of births. Under the Child Welfare Act as it
at present operates there is a duty on the Registrar to inform the
Child Welfare Department of every birth, and the register is also open
to the Plunket Society for purposes of following up.

Good as the intention of these provisions is in the interests
of the babies, the assertion has been made that in certain cases the
knowledge of this lack of secrecy has deterred women from allowing
their pregnancies to continue, and has constrained them to seek
abortion.

The Committee is not prepared to comment on this complaint, but would
suggest that it be investigated, and that, if there is any
justification in it, the regulations be amended so that, while fully
protecting the child, full secrecy is maintained.

(4) TO MEET CHANGES IN SOCIAL OUTLOOK.

The Committee has concluded that, beyond the economic and domestic
considerations already discussed, there are many changes in modern
social outlook which are operating in the direction of family
limitation, and which, in many cases, lead to the practice of abortion.

Can anything be done to prevent the occurrence of abortion resulting
from these tendencies in modern life?

Concerning birth-control the realities of the position must be faced.
There can be no doubt that there is a widespread uncontrolled and
ill-instructed use of contraceptives.

As one witness put it, "New Zealand is saturated with birth-control."

Owing to this extensive half-knowledge there is in many cases an
entirely unwarranted dependence on their reliability to the exclusion
of any measure of self-discipline whatever.

The Committee is under no illusion in this matter.

With this attitu