THE VENEREAL VORTEX

NZ Truth, Issue 869, 22 July 1922, Page 4

THE VENEREAL VORTEX

ALARMING POSITION TO BE FACED AT LAST. i — — — For many years "Truth" has endeavored to draw serious attention to the ravages wrought by the spread of venereal disease m the Dominion. The rapid encroachment of this scarlet scourge of society has been steadily, but none the less surely, undermining the (health of the community as a whole. If our warnings had received the consideration they were entitled to, the position we are faced with to-day would not have been reached. is il v 11 Unfortunately for the country we were confronted with the smug •complacency of a mock-modest opposition — an opposition that, for the greater part, was more deadly m its operation because it invoked the aid of .Silence. The subject was too unpleasant for discussion. And so the fell, contagious disease was permitted to pursue its awful course without any serious interference. Where restrained discussion did take place conflict of opinion arose as to the <best course to pursue. All this time the loathsome disease was extending its 1 octopus-like grip on Its ever-increasing number of victims —many of them innocent people. 'For it must be borne m mind that personal chastity — although a safeguard to be encouraged — is not a complete protection against the attack of venereal disease. oi ;s |f So, to-day, the fact is brought home to the community m a painful way, that the serious spread of the scourge itself is forcing its dreadfulness upon the attention of people m high position. Their eyes have been opened at last. Their awakening has been a long time m coming. Better late than never. We do not claim greater virtues for the daily press than we do for ourselves. But ,we do say that if the daily papers had risen to a sense of their responsibilities and joined with "Truth" m its crusade, the venereal enemy would not have been able to make the advances it has made. Our contemporaries, we fear, have ibeen forced into taking a (hand m the campaign by the pressure of public opinion. To still further assist m combating the spread of the disease, "Truth" publishes m this issue a special article dealing with recent developments and disclosures. In this article are quoted the statements of some of the latest and notable recruits to the cause, and our policy is made clear. We strongly advocate a thorough and comprehensive, sane educative propaganda. The subject is too serious', for namby-pamby treatment. It must be grappled with; m deadly earnest or there will be still more deadly results from ignorance and neglect than those with which we are confronted to-day. We do not advocate panic methods, hut we do appeal for whole-hearted support m the stern fight. in the interests of the health of the community.