THE SOCIAL EVIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17889, 17 September 1921, Page 8

THE SOCIAL EVIL.

A meeting for women was held in tl. • Y.W.O.A. Hall on Thursday evening, under the auspices of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. The chair was taken by Mrs. McKail Geddes. The subject under discussion was venereal disease and the Social Hygiene Bill. Addresses were given by Mrs. Lee Cowie and Mrs. Peryman, editor of the White Ribbon. Mrs. Cowie spoke of the awful ravages of the disease, and dealt with the importance of teaching the young purity of life. Mrs. Peryman spoke >e gardinir remedial means, and stated the reasons for the union's opposition to the compulsory proposals in the Social Hygiene Bill. Every women's society in the United Kingdom, including the British medical women, she said, were opposed to compulsion, and medical men and experts were equally opposed to it. The hope of cure was in the early stages. Patients should he encouraged to voluntarily seek treatment, for which purpose free clinics should be provided. All women were urged to present a solid front against com pulsion. After an interesting discussion a resolution wis passed, urging the teaching of purity of life, in homes, schools and churches, and the adoption of a system of free clinics, plain teaching, and voluntary treatment. The resolution ahw strangle ami-mod opposition to all forms of compulsory notification and treatment