SOCIAL EVIL.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 14783, 13 October 1921, Page 8

SOCIAL EVIL.

TREATMENT OF VENEREAL DISEASE. • ,/At a meeting of the Hospital Board yesterday a letter from the North Canterbury Board, dealing with the subject of venereal disease was 'read. The southern board suggested that venereal diseases should be made notifiable under the. Act. The chairman said that he must oppose the suggestion* He believed that it would be better to commence a campaign of education —in fact, education in preference to legislation. Admittedly something should he done, for the disease was committing its ravages, but when they started to interfere with what had been called body freedom, they raised opposition and created dissatisfaction. He knew that many people, workers, believed, that this sort of thing would affect the poorer men, but the rich would avoid notification and the results. They should •start by educating the children at a suitable time. ‘ The young should 'be warned about these dangers. Thos§ who had the disease -should be told .that treatment could do much to effect a cure. Mr Rowe: I remember when it was compulsory in Auckland. It did no good. The chairman said that it would be better to establish clinics and carry out an /educational programme, designed to prevent the spread of disease, or to properly deal with these, diseases when contracted. The members concurred, and it was decided to reply in the terms of the chairman’s remarks.