V.D. CASES

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 24, 28 January 1919, Page 3

V.D. CASES

QUESTION OF ACCOMMODATION

A deputation, comprising Messrs. J. T. M. Homsby and G. R. Sykes, M.P.'s, and the Mayor of Featherston (Mr. J. W. Card), waited upon the Minister for Defence (Sir James Allen) yesterday with reference to the accommodation of venereal disease cases at Featherston Camp. Mr. Hornaby said that the deputation was appointed by a public meeting at Featherston, of which Mr. Card was chairman. , Mr. Card said that a great deal of consternation was caused when the men first arrived by alarmist press reports of danger to the community, and also by the fact that the men were at liberty in Wellington and Kaitoke, and three of them' appeared in Featherston town in ordinary uniform. The meeting expressed disapproval of the press statements, and it was realised that there was no danger to the community if the men. were kept under proper guard. At the same time, the meeting was of opinion that in the interests of the men themselves it would be better if greater privacy were secured, and accommodation on an island would meet this need. The meeting understood that the quarantine islands must be reserved to guard New Zealand from the introduction of epidemics.

Mr. Sykes emphasised that for the good of the men themselves more privacy should be obtained if possible. An island would secure this, and at the same time allow the men their liberty. Kapiti' Island might meet the need.

Sir James Allen said they had had venereal cases in the camps from the beginning until it became necessary to concentrate them at Port Chalmers. But they were ordered out from all these islands by the Public Health Department, and in view of what had happened, and what might happen again, he thought the Public Health Department was right in having its quarantine stations free. He did not think the proposal to use Kapiti was feasible. They had to leave the other islands at short notice, and they had all the buildings at Featherston ready. Anyway, the whole thing would be over in a few months. He asked the public to put up with it in the meantime. He would see if the complaint regarding tie men being within public view could not bo remedied. The Defence Department did not wish to do anything more than make the men safe to go back into the community as quickly as possible.