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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol. 37, No. 7. April, 17 1974

abortion Action

page break

abortion Action

Photo of an abortion protest

Submission to Parliament

The Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (WONAAC) presented its submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Woman's Rights on April 9. Organisers had previously been given the impression that the Select Committee would be unwilling to dwell on this controversial issue (the hearing in fact took no more than 25 minutes), so a picket was organised to draw attention to it. The picket was also to point out that a Committee of Inquiry into Abortion set up in 1936 had sold women out by recommending no change in the laws, and the present Committee was urged to rectify this by recognising women's right to choose abortion. Police claimed it was illegal to picket inside parliament grounds (since when?), but because of pouring ram it was called off anyway.

As had been predicted, the views of those presenting the submission were not eagerly sought by the policitians, with the exception of Mary Bacheolor and Dorothy Jelicich, who were more sympathetic than the others on the Committee.

Abortion Action Day

Wednesday, April 24, has been designated Abortion Action Day, when Woman's Abortion Action Committees in the main centres will be making a concentrated effort to bring the abortion rights campaign into the public eye and involve as many supporters as possible.

In Wellington, plans are underway for a variety of activities, in which supports of the campaign will be encouraged to participate:

Radio Windy Talk-Back Programme

This show runs from 9am to 12 noon, hosted by Brian Edwards Diane Cleary (WONAAC) and Jacqueline McCluggage, Secretary of the local Women's Abortion Action Committee, will be discussing the aims of the campaign, so if you are near a radio and a telephone on April 24, they would welcome some supportive comments.

Information Booth

The booth will be in Cuba Mall from at least 10.30am to 2pm to provide information to interested shoppers, to sell pamphlets and posters and to talk to a wide range of people.

Speak Out

The City Council has agreed to allow us the use of the Cuba Mall stage for an informal forum or "speak-out". The object is to provide for as many people as possible to contribute their views, to merely comment or to relate their experiences concerning abortion, contraceptive advice, efforts to get sterilised, and so on A microphone will be available for those who need one and to ensure a lively discussion, please be prepared to participate!

Dr Erich Geiringer, Shirley Smith (Wellington lawyer), Phil Bunkle (Vic history lecturer), Helen Smith (Porirua City Councillor) have been invited to contribute their views, together with Dr. Gerald Wall MP and Dr Diana Mason (President of the Wellington Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child) who are opposed to abortion.

Organising Meeting

After the day's activities, all woman interested in helping to organise the next WONAAC activity [unclear: aresnvited] to come along to an evening meeting. This will be in the Tennis Pavilion on Salamanca Road, next to the John Reid Squash Courts. At present, an abortion tribunal and conference is being discussed, along with the possibility of a tour by a spokeswoman from WONAAC in the United States.

If you can help with the booth, contribute at the speak-out or in preparations for Abortion Action Day, phone Jacqueline McCluggage (552-821) or come along to the Listening Room, Sub, at 2pm on Sunday, April 21 where banners, etc will be finished. Otherwise, come along on the day, and lend us a supporting voice on the talkback programme.

—Gillian Goodger