SERIOUS DISEASES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16780, 8 July 1922, Page 13

SERIOUS DISEASES.

NOTIFICATION QUESTION. (Special to the ‘ L Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 7. The Minister of Health was asked by Dr Thacker to-day it he will this session introduce legislation to deal effectively with tuberculosis and venereal disease. The Hon O. J. Parr, in reply, said there was no intention at present to introduce any amendment to the Public Health Act, which was the most complete legislation of its kind in. the world, giving ample power to deal with tuberculosis. As for venereal disease, there was a Social Hygiene Act on the statute boo!., but whether there should be compulsory notification of people suffering from this disease was a very moot point on which tYioro was a considerable difference of opinion. A great many women’s societies had taken the matter up, and they were divided on it. Under these circumstances ho felt that in the last session of Parliament he could not take the responsibility .>f introducing a Bill which would cause long discussion, a great deal of agitation and lobbying. Therefore he had asked the Board of Health to set up a committee which would co-operate with outside members, including women. to investigate the disease and ascertain if it was so prevalent as Was suggested, and. he hope., snuggest some Dr Thacker suggested that dangerous consumptives should be confined to suitable hospitals. Hon C. J. Parr; To restrict the liberty of anyone is a serious proposition. and to take hold of a consumptive and say lie is in such a state of health that lie must stay in a hospital for mx months or possibTv ten years is too serious a matter on which to take action without advice. I have referred to the Health Department to cions i dei’ the question of restricting consumptives who might be dangerous to the public health.