THE RED PERIL

Evening Star, Issue 18051, 19 August 1922, Page 14

THE RED PERIL

EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND.

[Per United Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, August 18. Before the Venereal Diseases Cominitteo women gave evidence on behalf of various organisations. Ono objected to compulsory notification, advocating free clinics, open day and evening, with a fall measure of privacy. The organisation she represented would not oppose compulsory examination in extreme cases, of which doctors had been notified by patients who had actually contracted the disease from a known source. Witness expressed the opinion that "early treatment’’ methods tended to lower the moral standard by giving a false sense of security. A publicity" campaign would help to enlighten the public, while instruction should bo given - in schools by properly qualified teachei's.

Mrs llarrison Lco-Cowie said that there should be teaching of sex physiology, suppression of quacks, certificates of health on the side of both parties before marriage, severe punishment for knowingly inflicting another, and absolute equality of the sexes in treatment—whether medical or judicial. Dr Murray, medical officer at Auckland Prison, stated that the number of male prisoners admitted from July, 1920, to July, 1922, was 2,511, of whom twentyeight were suffering from venereal disease. Of the 210 females admitted during the same period, four were similarly affected. Of the total number of prisoners, only one had been detained for completion of treatment under the Criminal Detention Act.

The Chairman expressed the opinion that the proportion of the prison population suffering from disease was much lower in Auckland tlran in other countries.

Dr Murray concurred with tibia opinion, fourteen years’ experience of prison work having satisfied him that the disease was more "prevalent in private life than in gaols. The Eov. Jasper Calder, Anglican City Missionor, could not too strongly urge compulsory notification and treatment,

and also Inspection, Nobody wanted the C.D. Act hack, but something approaching it seemed necessary. Quack treatment should, bo forbidden. “It is not the footballer or the prize fighter who gets our girls into trouble,” Mr CaMer saidj “it as the thin, weak-kneed youth who has no vital energy or physical or moral strength —•the sort of chap who is soared to have a cold bath in the morning.” The committee has left for Dunedin.