VENEREAL DISEASE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 2 August 1924, Page 7

VENEREAL DISEASE.

CAUSE OF PREVALENCE. IMMIGRANTS EXONERATED. V ELLINGTON, Aug. 1. A prominent social Avorker recently made a statement alleging that the inflow of immigration into New Zealand Avas causing increased preA r alence of venereal disease oAving to some immigrants suffering from the disease. The Health Department took the matter up, asking hospital boards in the main centres and the Commissioner of Police for reports. Medical officers 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 newcomers admitted for this class of disease in negligible.” Dr_ Falconer Brown replied: “No reason to connect the prevalence of cases in any way with immigration.” The Christchurch board replied: “Not noticed any evidence that newcomers are increasing the orevalence of venereal diseases.” In marital cases it is usually a New Zealander who contracted the disease abroad during the war.

The medical superintendent of Dunedin Hospital reported: “Members 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 which New Zealand is a party whereby crews of ships receive free treatment in all the main ports foi venereal disease. , Til© report- of the Police Commissioner stated : In one district the disease is among the Maoris owing to association with low-caste Indians, who mixed freely with the natives. Passengers who arrived recently contracted the disease at Panama and agreed to attend Auckland Hospitals for treatment. Regarding the South Island report, lie says: Inquiries don’t show that any increase in venereal disease can be attributed to immigrants. ’Jhere is no evidence that any of them have brought the disease. The Director-General of Health wrote the Immigration Department: “Replies indicate that the statement is practical!v without foundation. Hiore is no evidence that the inflow of immigrants is affecting the incidence of venereal disease in counirv ” WELLINGTON. Aug. 2. Inconsequence of allegations' that the inflow of immigrants' into New Zealand was causing an increase of venereal disease, the Health Department communicated with the hospital boards of the chief centres and also with the police. The Director-General finds from the replies that the statements are practically without foundation. and there is no evidence to support it.