SOCIAL DISEASE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIII, Issue 22, 24 December 1942, Page 2

SOCIAL DISEASE

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 23. AVide powers are given for the c bating of venereal disease in Police Offences Emergency Regulations gazetted to-night. The definition, of "a house of ill-fame" is extended to include any premises used for such purposes and the police-are given the right without warrant to enter and search premises where there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that the building is being used as a house of ill-fame, and anyone obstructing such entry commits an offence under the regulations. Any constable mny arrest, without warrant, any person reasonably suspected of having committed an offence under the regulations. Whore any person has been convicted in any Court of any crime or offence, or appears before a Children's Court charged with any offoncc, and the Court has reason to bolicvo or suspect that ho may bo suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form, the Court may, before passing sentence or finally determining the matter make an order for the removal of that person to a hospital or other suitable place whore ho can bo effectually isolated, and the medical officer in charge of the hospital or, other place is given authority to malco an examination to determine whether the person is suffering from venereal disease. If a person is suffering from venereal disease tho doctor shall app'.y treatment and for the. purpose of diagnosis and treatment tho person may bo detained for tho necessary period. Any person subject to such Court order must remain in hospital until discharged and then appear before the Court to bo dealt with for the crime or offence with which that person was originally charged. Imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding £IOO. or both, are provided for offences against the regulations.