Miss Bartlett Talks On Law (Press, 16 May 1975)

On 16 May 1975, Miss Patricia Bartlett, the national secretary of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards, addressed the annual conference of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Law Students. She spoke on the topic of "morality and the law," emphasising the necessity of a return to Christian faith and values as a means to restore sanity and life in society. Miss Bartlett argued that respect for the sanctity of sex, marriage, and the absolute sanctity of life are critical to achieving this goal. She expressed concern over the negative impacts of pornography, stating that it contributes to the breakdown of families. Miss Bartlett urged the law students to comprehend the importance of laws that govern morality, asserting that a truly free society must protect the dignity of its members and maintain the quality of life. She warned against the dangers presented by a vocal minority that seeks to undermine these principles, claiming such movements threaten the ability of citizens to raise their children within a respectful and Christian community. During her address, Miss Bartlett claimed that New Zealand's legal system was rooted in principles that uphold the dignity of the individual, the sanctity of human life, and the family as a fundamental societal unit. She noted a troubling trend in the evolution of family law, asserting that recent changes have led to an increase in the divorce rate, with one in eight marriages in New Zealand ending in divorce. Her society's goals include promoting self-respect and dignity, as well as advocating for stricter enforcement and enhancement of laws surrounding obscenity, pornography, and violence in media. She pointed out a perceived correlation between legal standards and societal behaviour, arguing that society has both the right and duty to regulate harmful actions through legislation. Miss Bartlett identified several contentious legal issues in New Zealand, including abortion, the decriminalisation of male homosexual acts in private, easy divorce, drug offences, and regulations concerning minors' access to contraception. She critiqued "so-called reformers" who push for changes to laws concerning moral issues, arguing that their claims of ineffectiveness contradict the laws' ongoing relevance and significance in maintaining social order. She concluded that the current societal troubles, including rising crime rates, do not warrant the repeal of laws. Rather, such laws serve essential functions and should remain in place to counteract the push for greater permissiveness in society. Through her remarks, Miss Bartlett highlighted the protective role of law in fostering a moral framework within which families and communities can thrive.

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