SOCIAL HYGIENE BILL.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16043, 27 October 1917, Page 11

SOCIAL HYGIENE BILL.

PASSED BY LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL

(SPKCjaI to "irrr. truss.")

"WELLINGTON. October 26. In moving the second reading of tinj Social Hygiene Bill in the Legislative Council this afternoon. Sir Francis Bell said the powers originally sought by the Government with tlie object of checking venereal disease were not now contained in the' Bill, and he did not know if the measure was still fully effective in its provisions. Unanimity on this subject did not seem to be attainable, and . the difficulties of discussion as well as legislation were very great. The subject was so distasteful that many people did not make themselves acquainted with tho facts. The easy way of dealing with it was to say that the danger of the disease and its prevalence iiad been exaggerated. but that refuge was not open to the Council. The danger was imminent and growing, and it would be accentuated inevitably during tho period of demobilisation, which might not bo so far distant as somo people imagined. The chief provision of the Bill now made it a statutory obligation on every person suffering from venereal disease to consult a qualified medical practitioner. Heavy penalties were provided for failure to accept medical treatment, and as a necessary corollary .provision was made for treatment being provided at public institutions. The experiment of appointing women police or patrols was to be tried.

The Hon. Dr. Collins said he believed the medical profession generally would welcom-e the Bill, which contained many provisions they cordially supported. The doctors regretted the absence of provision for notification rf the disease. The medical men had taken up this matter at Dunedin 23 years and since then had made many attempts to direct the attention of the proper authorities to the ravages of venereal disease. They had expressed a definite opinion in favour of the disease being made notifiable like other serious infectious diseases. Venereal diseases were contagious, and were curable if treated properly in the early stages. Tliey. were on the same footing in these respects as smallpox and diphtheria, and they ought to bo handled jn the same direct way. New Zealand was in a yerv favourable position owing to its isolated position and its comparatively small population, and he had no doubt that the disease could be very much reduced if proper measures were taken. He hoped that no soldier suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form would be allowed to return to New Zealand until cured. He believed this rule was being enforced at the present time. Dr. Collins quoted some figures with regard to the prevalence of venereal disease in New Zealand. He said that of 40,773 balloted men examined by the Medical Boards up to June 30th, 550 men had been suffering from venereal disease. The need for some form of notification was very great in order that the prevalence of the disease might.be made known and treatment provided. The Bill was read a second time.

Answering questions after the Bill had been committed. Sir Francis Bell said that sufferers who could not Rfford to pay for medical treatment could go to the public hospitals. The Bill gave the Minister power to pay for tho treatment of persons who were not within reach of a hospital. , Sir Walter Buchanan pointed out that the Bilrmade it an offence for a person suffering from venereal disease to handle food intended for sale, but did not prevent an employer allowing an infected person to handle food for the employer's family. Tlie clause was amended so as to make the provision apply fully to domestic workers.

The Bill was put through Committee, read a' third time, and nassed. Later in the evening the House, on the Hon. G. W. Russell's motion, agreed to the amendments made in the Bill by the Legislative Council.