LEGAL AND ILLEGAL ABORTION
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] 'Sra,—This year's Congress of the Women's. Co-operative Guild has just passed—with fewer than 20 dissentients out
of 1,360 delegates—the following resolution, being No. 32 on the agenda :
" In view of the persistently high maternal death-rate and the evils arising from the illegal practice of abortion, this Congress calls upon the Government to revise the abortion laws of 1861 by bringing them into harmony with modern conditions and ideas, thereby making of abortion a legal operation that can be carried out under tho same conditions as any other surgical operation. It further asks that women now suffering imprison- ment for breaking these antiquated laws be amnestied."
Mrs. Day of Blackhorse Road Guild (Essex), Mrs. Jarvis of Elmers End (Kent) and Mrs. Lorsignol, of West Chisle- burst, who moved, seconded and supported the resolution, spoke with impressive brevity and cogency. There were two amendments—one to omit the second sentence, and one to add " provided the woman can show good cause." Both were put to the vote and overwhehningly rejected. There was no opposition grounded on traditional ethics. These women have free minds and know the realities of life and
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