THE C.D. ACT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8964, 15 April 1890, Page 4

THE C.D. ACT.

As we pointed, out a short time ago, the one serious objection to the introduction of the C.D. Act into this city would be the question of the cost of working it. This difficulty the Public Works Committee of the City Council evidently had before them last nighc. While we regret that the Committee could not see their way clear to make a bolder statement and affirm that the Act was necessary, we are pleased to see that they have grasped tke wider question as suggested by the Medical Association, namely, that “to do much practical good the operations of such an Act should be general throughout the Colony.” We may point out that directly the Act was brought into force in Auckland there was a general exodus of prostitutes from that city, many of them flocking to add extra pollution to Wellington and other towns where the Act was not in force. There was, however, the beneficent action of ridding Auckland of some 30 or 40 per cent, of its objectionable characters. It was like suppressing the flames in one room and allowing them to break out in another. While we earnestly desire to see the Act brought into operation in this city, we do not want to saddle the other principal boroughs with our vile traffic ; and no real benefit to the community at large will ever be effected until the Government cause the Act to be enforced in at least the principal seaports of this Colony. We should be sorry to see the Council led to neglect their evident duty by a feeling of sympathy with the sentimental prayers of their various petitioners, and we trust the Council will display sufficient firmness in their duty in urging upon the Government to take such steps as may be necessary to bring this desirable Act into force in the principal cities of Hew Zealand.