VENEREAL DISEASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 August 1938, Page 7

VENEREAL DISEASE

INSTITUTION OF CAMPAIGN URGED CRITICISM OF EXISTING POSITION (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLNGTON, This Day. A suggestion that a campaign against venereal disease should be instituted in New Zealand was made by Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition, Waitomo) during discussion on the Estimates of the Health Department in the House of Representatives yesterday. This was supported by Mr S. G. Holland (Opposition, Christchurch North), who said the present tendency was for the disease to be driven underground. “There is a sum of £5OOO on the Estimates for research into various diseases,” Mr Broadfoot said, ‘.‘and I think research should be carried out with respect to one of the most serious of all —venereal disease. The effects of venereal disease are extremely widespread, and I think' that any money devoted to research in that direction would be very well spent.” Mr Broadfoot quoted figures to show that in Denmark and Sweden, by means, of determined campaigns the incidence of venereal disease had been reduced very considerably. It was no use glossing over the position in New Zealand. He suggested that a campaign, in which newspaper publicity might be used, would be well worth while.

“I feel we are driving this question underground,” said Mr Holland. “It should be brought to the surface so that we may be sure it is being dealt with. I think it is becoming worse and worse for want of the proper attention.”