PUBLIC HEALTH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18601, 8 July 1922, Page 4

PUBLIC HEALTH

T.B. AND VENEREAL DISEASE. (Fbom Odb Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, July 7. , The decision of the Department of Health to set up a committee / to gather all the available information on the prevalence of venereal , disease in New Zealand and, if possible, indicate the appropriate remedies, was announced by the Minister' of Health (the C. J. Parr) in the House of Representatives to-day. The Minister said that there was a great difference of opinion in the country _ as to whether there should not be legislation requiring compulsory notification of the disease. • This was a very moot point, and even the women’s societies were not in accord with it. Under these circumstances he had decided that rather than introduce legislation, with its attendant discussion, agitation, and lobbying, during the last session of Parliament, it would be better to set up a committee of the Board of Health to collect data. It was alleged that the disease was altogether too prevalent.fcnd there were denials of that allegation, so that it would bo as well to know tibe extent of its ravages. The committee would gather the facts, go into the question of causes, and’ indicate the appropriate remedy. This was a question which was occupying the public mind, and ho did not wont to make any mistakes in; dealing with it. A committee consisting of five or six ladies and gentlemen could ascertain by the views of the various societies as to the proper remedies and' the department and Parliament would have something to go on. A Royal Commission had been suggested, but he did not think that necessary. The suggested committee could do the. work just os well, and the cost would not bo as great. Dr 11, T, J. Thacker (Christchurch East) asked the Minister of Health whether it was proposed this session to bring down a Bill dealing comprehensively with the question of tuberculosis. The Minister replied that there was at present no such intention. He pointed out, however, that they already had the Public Health'Act of 1920, which was the most comprehensive measure of its kind in the world, and gave ample power for dealing with tuberculosis. Dr Thacker: What about putting a compulsory clause, in (ho Act to keep the patients in their homes. The Minister: To restrict the liberty of anyone is a very serious proposition, and I am awaiting the advice of the department regarding it.