A BIG QUESTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 885, 30 August 1910, Page 2

A BIG QUESTION.

Wellington, August 27. There is much speculation in and out of the House of Representatives about the proposals of a deputation whioh interviewed the Minister of Justice. The deputation asked that certain clauses of the Public Health Act should have some force to check the spread of venereal disease. Dr. Findlay has submitted outlines of the proposed amendments of the Act to the various members of the deputation. The Minister has not indicated the specific nature of the requests made to him, but a perusal oi the Act plainly reveals the direction in which reform is sought. For example, section 13 states that, for the purpose of preventing or checking the spread of infectious disease, the Governor may, from time to time as he thinks fit make regulations (a) tor house to house visitation, and inspection of the houses, the occupants thereof, and the things therein, and also of the outbuildings, yards, drains ; tb) for the isolating or disinfecting of persons, houses, buildings, places, and things. Under section 18, a District Health Officer, if authorised by the Governor, “ may require persons to report themselves, or submit themselves for medical examination at specified times and places.” Section 25 provides for the sending of notices of|infectious diseases to the District Health Officers. Some members are of opinion that the object of the clergy and other people represented in the deputation is to secure a satisfactory amendment of the Public Health Act to take the place of the Contagious Diseases Act. A Bill for the repeal of the C. D. Act has passed its second reading, but opposition has been threatened for the Committee stage amendment, as the Public Health Act is regarded as a reasonable compromise between the supporters and the opponents of the C.D. Act.