SOCIAL HYGIENE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9791, 15 October 1917, Page 7

SOCIAL HYGIENE

WOMEN’S DEPUTATION

BILL BEFORE PARLIAAIENT CONDEMNED. A largo deputation of women waited on tho Prime Minister, the Minister for Finance, tho Alinister for Health, and tho Minister for Justice on Saturday morning to advance reasons why the Social Hygiene Bill should not he passed in its present form. Dr Newman, ALP., introduced tho deputation, and explained that it represented two mootings which had been held in Wellington. It was ot a most representative character. Several members of Parliament wore present during tho interview, including Messrs Isitfc, Fletcher, Wright, Poland, Poole, Field (Nelson), and McCombs, but it was explained that they wore not supporters of tho deputation; they had eixoply eomo to look on. Airs J. P. Luke stated that at tho two meetings .the following societies had been represented; Women s Christian Temperance Union, Society for the Protection of Women and Children, Salvation Army, Women’s National Council, Social Investigation League, Women's Labour Organisation, Christ chan eh Women’s Christian Union, and the Nelson Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The following resolutions had been carried: That this meeting of citizens of Wellington calls upon the Government to withdraw the hill at _ present before Parliament dealing with the question of social hygiene, holding that such legislation would have the effect ot driving the evil underground. It further invites the Government to place the matter of social hygiene before tho women’s societies, which have for tho last twenty years been suggesting solutions of this problem. That in making appointments of women health officers or police. Parliament should invite the co-operation of such women’s soeietics, with a view to securing suitable women for such positions. That this meeting requests the Government to follow tho example of the Canadian and South Australian Governments in appointing women justices and magistrates to deal with cases where women and children aro concerned. \

That this meeting recognises the urgent need for immediate steps to deal with tiho spread of venereal diseases, and urges that local bodies should make provision, throughout the country for tho efficient, free, and confidential treatment of venereal diseases without penal or deterrent conditions, and’ urges the non-compulsory principle for treatment shall be observed in all oases, no attempt being made to enforce treatment, isolation,' or detention, on any pauper, prisoner, or any other persons suffering from venereal disease. Further, that this meeting wishes to 'endorse the opinion of tho British Royal Commission that if venereal diseases aro to be stamped out it will bo necessary not only to provide the medical means of combating thorn, hut to raise the moral standards and practices of tho community as a whole. That in the opinion of this meeting it'is imperative that the Gmoriunont should immediately take steps to establish farm, colonies where persons who are a menace to the health and morals of tho community should be given an opportunity to earn a living under supervision. That this mooting urgently requests tho Government, the local bodies, and the Education Department to immediately inaugurate a course of lectures on social hygiene by qualified men and women to parents and guardians, university students, business men and women, employees, and young people of both sexes; tho teaching to ho on high moral and hygienic rather than medical lines, and should avoid all statements which would be likely to cause panic and drive sufferers to have recourse to inexpert treatment. CASE AGAINST THE BILL.

Lady Stout on behalf of tho deputation made tho following statement:— ‘'On behalf of the largo and representative meeting of women of all the organised; societies for social service of tho Dominion, we thank you for the opportunity of (presenting the policy that our organisations would like to assist tho Minister to construct. Tho acknowledgment of the urgent need of means to combat venereal diseases has been welcomed by all those -who have realised the gravity of the menace to tho coming generation. Unfortunately the hill now before Raifliament does not meet the expectations of tho women's organisations. Tho resolution wo present requesting tho withdrawal of the bill is endorsed by the women of the Dominion, who understand the danger of its provisions to their daughters. Tho demand for policewomen, women magistrates, and Justices of the Peace is universal. Such appointmets have been made in Britain, Canada, land Australia, tho women’s societies having been asked to nominate the candidates. Labour farms for persons who aro physically and morally a menace to the community, and free clinics are approved and desired by the women wham we represent. Wo sincerely trust that your Cabinet will consider the desirability of acceding to the request of the women’s organisations throughout tho Dominion for tho withdrawal of the present incomplete measure until tho women’s point of view has been fully represented and understood. We realise that the compulsory measures proposed would defeat their ends, and desire to draw the attention of the Minister for Health and the Cabinet to the attitude of tho loading men of the day to the snbject, a summary of which wo are presenting with tho resolutions. It is the earnest opinion of the societies which have studied this problem for years, that tho bill, as to certain points, is quite unnecessary, as tho Justice Department, the police, have power under the Prisoners’ Detention Act and tho War Regulations of 1915 to deal with tho criminal element of both sexes, and tho Health Department and Hospital Boards have full facilities for dealing with all other oases.

“lt is a matter for regret that the Minister omitted to consult the womon’s organisations before bringing down a bill which vitally affects the safety and welfare of women and children. The points to which we take exception are: The proposal to sot up special hoards with power to conduct inquisitorial inquiries upon se-

rrot evidence; to on force a medical examination of suspected persons under penalty of a hue or imprisonmer. t, which 'would operate adversely against I a poor, friendless girl, but in favour of the fashionable woman, who could pay the fine and go free; tho establishment of prison hospitals or any moans for tho forcible detention of patients; tho power being given to a magistrate (oven if a woman) to eniovee detention on. evidence which could not be accepted in a court of justice—a recent case well known to the .Minister for Justice has shown tho difficulty young girls encountered in meeting a slanderous accusation, which tinder this bill would bo more difiicult; the proposal to class and treat as criminals persons who are suffering from disease. Clause 9 wo shall leave, uncnlicised, as wo have no doubt that the invitation which the Minister hits given for an _ extended visit of six months in a prison hospital, will be accepted with pleasure by those who approve of the bill. Wc take exception to the unlimited and clangorous powers which aro given to the .Minister under clause 19, which would put every woman and girl body and soul, under the power of the Minister. “Wo object to the public arrest of a patient released on probation, and to the opening for differentiation in favour of wealthy and influential patients at the discretion of the Minister.' Wc recognise, the sincerity of tho Minister’s intentions" in introducing a measure for grappling with a, most serious problem, but deprecate most emphatically tho imputations feast upon our young soldiers. The meeting endorsed the indignation expressed by the Mayoress and myself, who know, as all social workers will agree, that it is the unfit and stay-at-home and ,-married men who associate with undesirable women. Wo have pleasure in congratulating tho Minister on many good points in the bill, and.hope that as in the case of a decayed apple, the pips, if sound and planted in good soil, may grow into a, flourishing tree, which will bear beautiful and delicious fruit,-that this attempt lliay, with thb assistance which women freely offer, become the nucleus of a bonefiial measure. We cordially welcome tho long-delayed appointment of wo-men-patrols. Wo endorse’ the principles prescribing tho duty 'of medical practitioners ; in treating disease,_ and warning patients against marriages, and in providing for tho treatment ot children. We also approve the drastic restrictions against, quacks and quack remedies; .the granting of certificates of cure; , the holding of P er " sons liable who knowingly infect o tbers, but recognise tho impossibility "of enforcing such a provision where most necessary for tho protection of wives and children. We. recognise tho urgent need for the clause, dealing with the handling of food, hut, consider that its application requires serious consideration. The provision for. free treatment which is included in tho bill is cordially welcomed, and will provide the means for free clinics which our women’s societies bqve been earnestly advocating for 25 years. .We agree with tho provision for 'securing dam-; ages for slander, .but find that ib-da nullified by clause 36, whioh enables 1 the slanderer to escape on the plea of good faith. ■ We would suggest that tho criminal law be amended in such cases that tho, ends , of. justice ho not defeated by bankruptcy.. . The omission of any mention of facilities for education on these vital- matters, which are universally demanded, 'by thoughtful people, is. most regrettable. Wo would suggest that such-teaching should be available, not on medical lines, detailing the horrors., of the disease which tend.to create a panic, but should emphasise the need for physical and moral preventive measures.” Mrs Adams added that the idea had got abroad that the .organisations represented were , against the Government and the Minister for Health, but that was not so. What was desired was that the woman’s point of view should be presented in regard to certain aspects of the bill. .. PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. Mr Massey said that he would leave Mr Russell to go into details. What ho desired, to say was that though there might be some difference of opinion about the proposals in the bill, something of the sort had been asked for by large sections of the public throughout New Zealand, and even though parts of the bill were objected to, there was an earnest desire on the part of a large number of people that there should be some legislation pn the subject. At this period of the session, when members were looking forward to get back to their homes, it was not a difficult matter to stop any measure from going- through Parliament. The opposition of a dozen members would bo sufficient to block a bill. Many of tho provisions of the bill were approved by tho deputation. Why not have a-conference and allow the provisions which met with general concurrence to go on the Statute Book V Amendments justified by experience could afterwards be made. The mu was an earnest attempt to deal with a matter which had been of pressing importance for a number of years. MR RUSSELL’S VIEWS'. Mr Russell said he wanted to remove any idea that the deputation represented tho women of New Zealand. It represented but one section —those connected with the "Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Ho was justified in saying this because he noticed that telegrams wheih he had ■ received from various branches- of the’ "’union were couched in exactly ’the. same terms as tho resolutions now submitted. It was evident that tho telegrams had been sent in response to a request from headquarters. ■ In opposition to tho views of the Women's Christian Temperance Union ho had received various communications repror senting the intelligence of womanhood in various parts of New Zealand. For instance, a letter, had-come from Mrs . McGuire, the wife of the medical superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, who was also the president of the Civic League of Auckland, and Mrs Irvine, the secretary, stating that at meetings on October 10th and 11th, when twelve Auckland, women’s . societies were represented, tho bill had been commended, especially in regard to clauses 30 and 33. i He had. also received a letter from a lady doctor, who informed him that a meeting, at which she was present passed a resolution appreciating tho difference be- • tween this hill and tho old -O.D. Act; Two officers of tho Salvation Army at Auckland also wrote, stating that they esteemed it as their Christian duty to pray that the bill, should go through. The Minister went on to describe how many soldiers who bad acquired the dread disease dealt with in tho bill had been sent to Quarantine Island, Port Chalmers. At one time there had been ninety soldiers afflicted, but, according to the return of October Ist, there were only fourteen. They were all members of tho Expedition-

ary Force, and none of them discharged soldiers.

“Do you think/’ r.cked Air Russell, ‘•that these poor follows who have boon misled and got into trouble, should bo thus segregated on an island and the women who have been llio cause of 1 1 1 0-r downfall —in many cases for money—should be allowed to so about carrying on their nefarious traffic? Why should they not also bo put out of the way to do further harm? That is the whole thing in dispute.' 1 NO AIATERIAL ALTERATION OF PRESENT LAW'. Air Russell went on to point out that no material alteration was being made in the present law. As a matter of fact, he had refrained trom bringing into operation sections of the Prisoners’ Detention Apt and the Hospitals Amendment Act until sufficient safeguards had been provided by this bill.- Ono improvement was that a woman’s clinical examination must ho conducted by a woman doctor. A case bad occurred in Auckland, where a woman sent to prison was so frightfully afflicted with disease that no one could bo got to go near her. As for tree treatment, it was being arranged for in every form’at all the hospitals. He contended that it was just as necessary to have isolation in cases ot syphilis as of small-pox and diphtheria. AN ULTIMATCAI. “I am not going to remain a Minister,” exclaimed Air Russell, “unless power is given to me to deal effectively with these diseases,” Tho Minister proceeded to explain that It was not necessary to put into tlie bill anything with rereronco to education regarding the dread disease that was now being grappled with. As a.matter of fact, a huge educational campaign had already been initiated and money had been provided on tho Estimates for carrying it on. The Christian Temperance Union caa boon loaded with pamphlets on the subject. ' Ho did not know wEat had been done with them. A AVARAi RESENTMENT. “Ono lady in this room,” continued •Mr Russell, “has made a statement that every docent-minded man and woman should repudiate this bill. All I can say is that I resent any such remark as that from anyone in New Zealand with regard to an honest attempt to.ideal with one of the greatest difficulties of our age. Ido not anticipate that this bill will he final, _ but I am satisfied that the -great majority of the women of this country want this bill, and there aro some ladies present who, as a result of a meeting of ■ last night, have asked mo to assure the Prime Alinister that this deputation in opposition to the hill does not represent tho women of Ncfw Zealand. ~ .It was; explained by tho Minister that he proposed to abandon tho title of “prison hospitals” in favour* of “detention hospitals.” He also proposed to strike out the provision that A, magistrate could accept as evidence matters that would not be accepted in ordinary law proceedings. Ho wished that as far as possible tho bill should carry the support of the average women of New Zeal md—especially the mothers of soldiers. Ho was Sony that the soldiers should have been drawn into tho discussion on this business, but tho position was simply this: Why should tho unfortunate soldier he interned on an island' and tho civilian bo allowed to go free? It was quite incorrect to say that this bill was a renewal of tho old Contagious Diseases' Bill. This bill was not a police bill; it was a health bill, tho press criticisms had been all in its favour. The only suggestions made had been in tho direction of cutting down safeguards as being too cumbrous. Tho board with lady members was considered, unnecessary, and the doctors of Christchurch had urged that control should bo vested in tho Health Department and the doctors. “But," said Air Russell, in conclusion, “I am not going to hand over to the doctors of Now Zealand tho control of this matter.” Airs Houlder, president of the W.G.T.U., afterwards addressed the t Ministers;.' also Airs Donaldson (Women’s Labour Organisation). In reply to Airs Field (Nelson W.C.T.U.), Alr Russell said that ho attributed the reduction of syphilis cases among the soldiers to tho suppression of the “one-woman brothels.” According to a return handed to him by Air Hanan (Minister for Justice)-there wore at present 47 known prostitutes being retained in gaol. If this bill were, passed there would bo t another great’ improvement because it woulej scare diseased people away. Immoral women would know that they would have to get out. Mr Poole, M.P.: And immoral men, too.

Mrs Field then pointed out that the AV.C.T.U. had hoen doing educational work for tho last 20 years. Air Russell: “I was not aware of the fact; if I have done the union an injustice I apologise.” A SERIOUS PROBLBAI.

Sir Joseph Ward said that little need he added to the full explanation that had been made by the Alinister for Public Health. In connection .with this troublesome and far-reaching disease, the Government was anxious to do what was right for tho manhood and womanhood of tho country, especially as regarded the future. The inroads of the dread disease _ had been emphasised since the beginning of the war t hrough tho concentration of troops, and thoughtful men and women could not fail to bo' impressed as to tho absolute necessity of doing something thoroughly practical to meet the terrible problem presented more clearly now than ever before. Ono of tho things that had japst impressed him on his visit to tho Old Country was tho essential necessity of dealing with this subject in a sternly _ practical fashion. Tho future physical purity of the nation must he attended to, and some, course must be taken to ensure tho protection of the girls, of the future in this country. The discussion which had taken place was ilium, inating and educative, and the representations which had been made would be fully considered by Cabinet.