The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1916. TWO SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2829, 21 July 1916, Page 4

The Dominion. FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1916. TWO SOCIAL PROBLEMS

Th& Government has undertaken' to deal with two extremely difficult problems-in the War Regulations "Bill, namely, the control >of tho liquor traffic and the social evil.' The Bill is in the hands of the Minister of Justice (the Hon. A. L. Herdman), and ho made it quite clear, in opening- the debate on the second reading-, that tho measure was to bo regarded as a war Bill. He also admitted that it dealt wjth matters of a highly . controversial character. He was justified in appealing to.members not to take advantage of the Bill for tho purpose of furthering- any particular sectional'propaganda. Legislation of this sort should be considered from the standpoint of the special conditions prevailing at tho present time. The question'to, bq asked isHow will it affect our military efficiency'! "Will it help us to win the war? But the-mere fact that a measure is a war Bill does not secure for it immunity from criticism. It is the duty of Parliament to see that its, legislation should be just and equitable, and that it will serve the ends desired in tho best possible way. It is not right to do wrong, even in war time. The debate lias made it evident that a, vigorous attempt will be made to insert a clause, in the Bill providing for the earlier closing of hotels. Me. Heedman is not in favour of this proposal. He is of opinion—and apparently he is backed by his police officials as well ts by the military authorities—that law and order can be maintained more effectually by leaving the hotels open , till ten o'clock than by closing them at six. Dn this point there is strong conflict of opinion, and many people who are not Prohibitionists hold tho view that steps should be taken to curtail the hours during which liquor may be sold. The matter has already been investigated by a committee of the House of Representatives, which brought down a majority report in favour of six o'clock closing. The committee was equally divided for and against the recommendation, which was carried on the chairman's casting vote. The division of opinion in tho House is said to be also very , even. Efforts liave been made to reach some compromise acceptable to both sides, and, in view of the committee's report, it is possible that some middle course may eventually be taken. The proposals dealing with slv grogselling, restricting the sale of drink to women, and prohibiting the "shouting" practice, seem to meet with general approval, and arc not likely to give riso to a great deal of discussion.

The methods by which Lho Govern-, nicnfc proposes k> check the ravages of the social evil merit the most ! careful consideration of our legislators. This part of the War Regulations Bill was explained by tho Hon G. W. Russell, as Minister of Public Health, in an outspoken and most informative speech, which we are glad to note is to be reprinted in pamphlet form for general circu-' htion. A very large scction of the community will bo glad to have the ! assurance that it is not proposed to revive those provisions of tho repealed C.D. Act which it was found impossible to continue in operatic owing to the hostility of public opinion. Mk. Russell gave an outlino of the measures which the Government proposed to enforce, and, broadly speaking, they must be regarded as rciisonahlo and practical. The feature most likely to occasion I protest is the inclusion of the power under ccrtain conditions to segrc-' ■>

[ gato persons afflicted with venereal disease whose liberty would bo a |inenaco to the public health. It is not proposed tnat there should bo any indiscriminate attempt to search out and isolate these people, but merely to enforce the Vagrancy Act more stringently in the ease of what might be termed professional prostitutes and their male associates; and in such cases as aro found U> be suffering from venereal disease to place them in confinement until a cure has been effected. Tho policy outlined by the Minister of Public Health appears to go further in the way of direct action than the measures recommended by the British .Royal Commission, which issued its final report early ,in March, but follows some of the' recommendations made. That Commission recommended tho provision of facilities for diagnosis and free treatment; the prohibition of advertisements of remedies; legal protection to medical men to enable them to mako confidential communications i with the object of preventing or delaying a marriage; legislation making the disease an incapacity for marriage; more careful instruction throughout all types and grades of' education in regard to moral conduct in sexual relations. In his recent, address to his Synod, tho Bishop of Wellington (Db. Spp.ott) voiced a very widely held opinion when he said that State action in this matter, however wise it may bo, is of tho nature of a palliative; for apy radical treatment of the evil we must turn to education. This seems to bo the view taken by the British Royal, Commission, which lias placed on. record the opinion lhat "more careful instruction should bo provided in regard to conduct, based on moral principles and spiritual considerations, and not only on tho physical consequences of immoral conduct." Tho report of tho British Commission carries all the more weight because it -was not merely composed' of medical men. Doctors ana specialists formed not quite half of its members, other men and women boing selected in order to ensure that tho matter would be considered- frpm various standpoints—religious, educational, legal, social. The need for action cannot bo denied,' and, taken as a whole, the proposals of tho Government as outlined by Me. Russell afford little ground for serious.objection.