A Purblind Council.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 13, 1 July 1896, Page 7

A Purblind Council.

The rejection of the Bill for the repeal of the C.D. Acts for the second time in the Legislative Council emphasises the danger of entrusting the power of legislation to a body which is not directly under the control of the people. Twice have the people, by their representatives, tried to repeal these Acts, and twice has the attempt been frustrated by the Legislative Council. It is scarcely necessaiy to recapitulate the objectionable features of the Acts; of their infringement of the

British Constitution; of their menance to the liberty of every woman in the colony who, under these Acts, may, at the caprice of any policeman, he subjected to gross indignity, and of how’they encourage license, and hinder a return to virtue. Most of the councillors gave a silent vote, but there were some who claimed that in retaining these Acts they were protecting the health of the community. Assuming these gentlemen to be sincere, we may respect their sincerity ; but we must deeply deplore their lack of intelligence and common sense. Is it not patent to the meanest intel ligence that it is men, and not women, who, in the pursuit of vicious and selfish pleasure, contract the disease and communicate it to innocent persons with terrible consequences P When the Legislative Councillors pass a Bill which will say to men : “If you determine to indulge a debased appetite you become a danger to the community, and will be placed under restraint,” then we shall be convinced of their sincerity, and shall give them credit for sense and ordinary fairness.