SOCIAL REFORM PROBLEMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3163, 8 March 1911, Page 7

SOCIAL REFORM PROBLEMS.

VIEWS OF DR. FINDLAY

Addressing a verj r large gathering of women upon various important problems, particularly those which are concerned with his proposed legislation for the coming'session, Dr. Findlay, speaking at Wellington the other night, outlined the work that is. being done by women in other countries, and of how necessary it is for women to take a stand in New Zealand. He then proceeded to discuss the marriage laws in this country, and spoke of the pressing necessity for reform in the matter of not allowing degenerates to he at large to marry and to bring into the world degenerates like themselves or worse. They were a tremendous cost on the country and only added to the criminal statistics. In regard to the Public Health Notification Act he wished to propose this modification, that the names of people suffering from disease need not he given in merely the case itself reported. Although the health doctors may be implicitly trusted in regard to the confidence imposed in them, yet he was willing to modify the Act to that extent. If they gained an idea of the statistics in regard to cases reported, it was something gained. The reform had to be made by slow degrees. The speaker was most emphatic that in I framing any new legisation it must apply to men and to women alike, to rich and to poor, without’ the slightest inequality whatever. In regard to the treatment in the hospitals for these cases, he wished it to be thoroughly understood that it was to be free absolutely in every detail. He was also very anxious to make provision that the elder school children should be prepared before they left school for the dangers that might beset them on their way to become good, useful citizens. It was time that women realised what was around them, for a great deal of power was in their hands, and they could do much to alter these things.