A SAD POSITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1922, Page 5

A SAD POSITION.

A YOUNG GHIL’S CASE. MAGISTRATE ON “UNWORKABLE LAW.” Christchurch, Oct. 21. * When an order was made in the Magis* trate’s Court this morning, committing her to gaol, Millicent Ryan, 23 years of age, fell on to the floor of the dock in an hysterical fit. The charge against her was that, on October 13, at Christchurch, she attempted to commit suitside by attempting to drown herself in the river. The Magistrate (Mr. Wyvern Wilson) asked if the Health Department had been communicated with in regard to the girl's state of health.

Senior-Sergeant Lewin said that the police, so far, had taken no action in that direction.

The Magistrate said that under the Health Act of 1920 there was power for the district health officer to place the girl in some hospital for treatment. The magisti ate’s powers were not as wide as they might be. He did not feel like committing the girl to prison for attempting to commit suicide, simply in order that she could be

kept in detention until cured. This was another instance of the unworkable state of the New Zealand law covering pereonu suffering from contagious disease. There was not sufficient check upon them. He did not wish to send the girl to prison, but if be did not there was grave danger that she would not get treatment. The law provided that persons attempt* ing to commit suicide might be sent to gaol for a period not exceeding one year, but the provision was never put into force. After consultation with the Salvation Army officer, the Magistrate said that the district health officer bad certain powers, and if the police placed the statement as to her health before him, he might order the girl to be detained in the hospital un.d cured. The trouble was that they had no hospital where these cases were treated. It was very difficult; the law made proviaku that these cases should go to a hospital, but no hospital would take them. The magistrates had to do the best they could. “Under the circumstances, the best I can do out of consideration for the girl’s own physical health,” said Mr. Wilson, “is to formally sentence her to 12 hours’ imprisonment. As she will then be formally in prison, 1 can make an order for her detention until cured.” Addressing the girl, Mr. Wilson continued: “I am afraid I shall have to make an order for your detention in gaol, because no other hospital will take you. It is a sad position.”

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE.

IMPORTANT ISSUE RAISED. THE V.D. REPORT. By Telegraph.—Proas Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House to-night, Mr. S. G. Smith (Taranaki) asked the Minister of Health if anything could be done to meet cases such as the one lately ventilated in Christchurch, where a woman charged with attempting suicide had to be sent to prison because no hospital would take her, as she was suffering from a contagious disease. The Minister of Health said the question raised an important issue, i.e., whether there should be compulsory notification of venereal disease. Th e matter had been investigated by a Health. Committee, whose report had been received, and it would be laid on the table •of the Housa in a day or two.