VENEREAL DISEASE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19240, 2 August 1924, Page 13

VENEREAL DISEASE.

PREVALENCE IN NEW. ZEALAND, NOT ATTRIBUTABLE TO IMMIGRANT'S, (Pen United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August L A prominent social worker recently made a statement alleging that tire iniloiw of immigration into New Zealand was causing an increased prevalence) of venereal disease owing to some immigrants sutleriing from the disease. Iho Health Department took the matter up, asking the hospital boards in. the main centres and the CoriuruKiioner for Police for reports. The medical officer at the Wellington clinic replied that a remarkably small number of cases did not indicate that venereal disease was being spread or increased by immigration. Auckland replied: “The number of now comers admitted for this class of disease is negligible.” Dr Falconer Brown replied: “There is no reason to connect the prevalence of cases in any way with immigration.” The Christhuroh board replied: “We have not been notified of any evidence that newcomers are increasing the prevalence of venereal diseases. In marital cases it was usual a New Zealander who had contracted the disease abroad during war.” The Medical Superintendent. Dunedin, reported: "Members of the crews of visiting vessels are very active agents in spreading venereal disease in the dominion.” A reporter was informed that there is an international agreement to winch Now Zone land is a party whereby crews of ships receive free treatment in all the main ports for venereal disease. The report of the Police Commissioner states that in one district the disease among the (Maoris is due to association with low caste Indians who mixed freely with tzhe< natives. A passenger who arrived reontly contracted the disease at Panama and agreed to attend the Auckland Hospital for treatment. The South Island report said: “Inquiries do not show that any increase in venereal disease can be attributed to immigrants. There is no ovideno that any of them have brought the disease.” The Director-General of Health wrote to the Immigration Department ae follows: "The replies indicate that (lie statement is praetialiy without foundation. There is no evidence that the inflow of immigrants is affecting the incidence of venereal disease in this country.”