A SOCIAL SCOURGE.

IMISS ROUT'S ASSEVERATIONS'.

MINISTERIAL REFUTATION,

Replying in the House of Representatives to the statements made in Miss Ettie Rout's letter on the subject of venereal disease (published in Saturday's "Advocate" as given in the "Times"), the Minister of Defence ,Sir James Allen) said: "Certain statements in this article I believe to be wholly incorrect." He would refer to one such statement— "In a discussion on the subject, General Richardson has laid down, and the High Commissioner approved, the following propositions:—That properly licensed houses under medical supervision should be provided in England. That the law of segregation for infected soldiers should apply also to women." He had no information, nor had anybody in his office, that General Richardson, or the High Commissioner, or anybody els., had authorised licensed houses. Mr C. H. Poole (Auckland West): "It is a very serious matter." Sir James Allen said that he hid wired to General Richardson with regard to the matter/ The article also stated that General Richardson had authorised Miss Rout to write and publish it. He doubted that very much. He wanted to remove some of the anxiety that might be caused by the publication of such an article. He deprecated any paper causing unnecessary alarm by publishing _uch an article. (Hear, hear,) They did not come to him and ask if the article should be published or whether it was correct or not. It was perfectly correct that there was a good deal of venereal disease in England; and he knew from communications from General Richardson and the High Commissioner that every step they could take was being taken to minimise the evil. He had been in communication with the Imperial Government on the matter, but he was not able to .give their reply, which was confidential. ' He wished to assure the public that everything that could be done was being done. The Minister then read the following statement by Surgeon-General Henderson (Director-General for Medical Services) on the question:—

"It is possible that Miss Rout may have taken some particular month and compared the statistics for a short period instead of considering the total statistics for the year. There are usually from 300 to 330 venereal cases in the venereal hospital at Codford belonging to the New Zealand Forces. In France, in the Division, the admission's for venereal disease have been low—equal to about 30 per 100.

"As regards the reinforcements arriving and the complaints of infection contracted en route, since the system of prophylactic treatment on board ships has been introduced these have been reduced to a very small number indeed. Captain Thompson, N.Z. M.C., of a certain troopship, reported that on return from leave at Capetown,* where there is the greatest danger of contracting venereal disease, 60 men who exposed themselves to inspection reported for treatment, and no cases developed. All efforts are being made to prevent infection.

"The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in England has the fullest authority to take such measures as are considered most suitable to cope with the venereal problem, including the issue of prophylactics to the men on leave. "The question of controlling the women in England is a matter for the English people and the War Office. "As regards the issue of pi-ophylac-tic outfits to soldiers in 'New Zealand, our present system of proyhylaotics in camps and on board ships is, it is considered, efficient and satisfactory. "In this country the admission for camps for the first eight months of last year was 32 per 1000; whilst this year it was 22 per 1000 only, notwithstanding the fact that all venereal cases presenting themselves for enlistment are at once taken into the forces and treated. "At the present time there are 1.7 returned soldiers being treated .it Quarantine Island for venereal disease." A member: "Out of how many?" Sir James Allen: 'Out of 11,000 or 12,000 who have returned. Of course, there had been some there before, but they had been cured and let go." Continuing General Henderson's statement, Sir James Allen said: "The latest returns from Egypt show that there are 33 patients in hospital suffering from venereal disease, being an admission rate of less than 10 per 1000. That, he added, was the statement of Surgeon-General Henderson. Though it was not altogether pleasant reading, he deemed it right to make the whole facts public, so that the press might see that there was exaggeration in the statement made by Miss Rout.