BISHOP CAREY AND BIRTH-CONTROL
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—I am grateful for Mr. Angus Watson's letter : I am completely in agreement with him that I fear a regular and widespread demoralization in our national character because we are publicly deserting the ideals of the heroic and of self- control. I would be as tender as anybody to those who find themselves in circumstances of great difficulty ; but that is quite different from surrendering a whole ideal.
As regards Mrs. Ertz, I don't a bit want to score a point : the whole thing is too grave. But really it is not fair to say that because I hate the effect of artificial means of birth- control on the beauty and delicacy of married relationship that I " prefer " slums and overcrowding. On the contrary, I am deeply, terribly, hurt and offended by slums and unem- ployment. I am seeking with all my power a human and Christian solution of the economic basis of society. I agree with every word• of the Bishop of Bradford in the same issue as Mrs. Ertz's letter. I know that in capitalism and in the system built on it there is still a deep cancer. But am I necessarily bound to say that any specific remedy such as contraceptives or Communism or Fascism is the right remedy ?
I may be waiting for another remedy : something not yet fully conceived, but springing from Christian idealism and resolve plus the intelligent and effective constructiveness of the leaders of an alive and determined democracy. I would myself prefer to grapple with the whole economic basis of society rather than say that the short and easy method of birth-control is the solution. I doubt if it is the solution. I am told that the whole ratio of population—e.g., in Canada— is changing, and changing against the English stock because the French refuse there to touch birth-control. This will have its repercussions.
Please don't let Mrs. Ertz, or anybody, think that I am not puzzled—indeed, almost distracted—by the difficulty of the whole thing ; but I still do and always shall nail my colours to the mast of. a real effort of self-control, and to the ideal of heroism in this, as in all departments of life.—I am Sir, &c.,
WALTER J. CAREY
(Bishop). - .
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