Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Various Aspects of the Problem of Abortion in New Zealand

by New Zealand. Committee of Inquiry into various aspects of the Problem of Abortion in New Zealand; D. G. McMillan

PART IV.—QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF ABORTION.

At the present time there is in many countries much criticism of the existing laws regarding abortion, and various suggestions have been made for the alteration of the law.

Such representations have, indeed, been made to this Committee.

A consideration of these matters, therefore, could not escape our attention.

The New Zealand Law regarding Abortion.

The law in regard to abortion as set down in sections 221, 222, and 223 of the Crimes Act, 1908, is as follows:—

Procuring Abortion.

"221. (1). Every one is liable to imprisonment with hard labour for life who, with intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman or girl, whether with child or not, unlawfully administers to or causes to be taken by her any poison or other noxious thing, or unlawfully uses any instrument or other means whatsoever with the like intent.

"(2) The woman or girl herself is not indictable under this section."

This section re-enacts s. 201 of the Criminal Code Act, 1893. Cf. s. 223, infra.