CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10591, 21 October 1910, Page 4

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

By Telegraph,

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ' Wellington, Octobor 21. , Strong protests from the Opposition at 2 a.m. regarding the lateness of tho hour drew from Sir J. G. Ward an emphatic assurance of pushing the Contagious Diseases Repeal Bill through Committee before the rising of tho House.

Mr Malcolm asked what tho Prime Minister's intentions were. , If _ the Act were repealed would he introduce legislation in view' of tho evidence of the ravages of the disease throughout tho country. * -

Sir J. G. Ward said ho did not pro.pose. to legislate this session, but the matter was of sufficient.importance Jto: malvc further enquiries by. the Committee of the House next session. The" Act was an insult to the intelligence of the community as it stood,' being inoperative for one thing. Mr Hardy said that the Prime Minister should have the courage of his convictions and put the Act into operation. Ho should apply it to both sexes. He had witnessed in Wellington an,exceedingly sad case in which a baby- was struck witli blindness shortly after it had been attended by a-new servant girl. The problem was of ft-reater importance than gambling or drink. Sir J. G. "Ward said .thai, to apply, the law to'men wonld send, medical.men hunting all over the .country in search--of isolated cases. He had.- heard of/ many a case and" earnestly : desired a

remedy. . . , u Mr Taylor said the A.ct was an insult to womanhood of thc r country, and should, be repealed; at the 'same time •any Act should 'apply-Jo _ both sexes. iThe preliminary, to any decent action .was the repeal of "the* present Act. The ..remedy would not be in isolation, although that was necessary, hut in such clean -education on the matter of sex as would deter man from contracting the disease. _ -4 •■ i ' >_ Dr J3uck said «the -Act was inoperatiVe, but if existent it should apply to ;ljoth sexes. The disease shonkl be noti>liable, lint in view of the great' diversity .of opinion he would welcome ian opportunity expert evidence. - Mr pealed no further action would be taken. N The Bill passed the committee stage, 'but Mr Alien objected to the third read- j ing, which was consequently held over.-