VENEREAL DISEASE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18141, 2 August 1924, Page 11

VENEREAL DISEASE.

A STATEMENT REFUTED. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON, August 1. A prominent social worker recently made a statement alleging that the inflow of immigration into New Zealand was causing increased' prevalence of venereal disease, owing to some immigrants suffering from the disease. The Health Department took the matter up, asking Hospital Boards in the main centres and the Commissioner of Police for reports.' The Medical Officer, Wellington clinic, replied that the remarkably small number of cases did not indicate that venereal disease was being spread or increased by immigration. Auckland replied: "The number of newcomers admitted for this class of disease is negligible." Br. falconer Brown replied: 4 'There is no reason to eonneet the prevalence of eases in any way with immigration." The Christchnrch Board replied: "We have not noticed any evidence that newcomers are increasing the prevalence of venereal diseases." | The Medical Superintendent. Dunedin Hospital, reported: "Members of crews of visiting vessels are very active agents in spreading venereal disease in { the Dominion." A reporter was informed that there is on international agreement. to which New Zealand is a party, under which crews of ships receive free treatment in all main ports for venereal disease. . . The report of tho Police ConimissioJier said: "'ln one district there is disease unu.ng the Maoris owing to astsoeisiaon with luw-enste Indians, who mix freely with '.he Native.-*. • A passenger who arrived recently contracted the disease :it Panima and agreed to Lit tend iiie ! Auckland Hospital, for treatment, l.egarding the South Island, enquiries do : Jiot siiov.- that any increase yi venerea. ,I-.can be attributed to - There is no evidence that ::uy of lacm ; have brought the disease/'^ The Director-Geiseral v- litiiu. replies indicate that siateu**: ■ prictii-a-llv was irithcu' fouadatios. i 'P'c-re is no evider-*.? thai isiciv : imui": i.-> afi'rcuai: :he incidence of i 3 • -» -;>'■• .IT-' ! re;.c!'sa: o •» *■' -