273
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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MR. LOWTHER KEMP: Sir, it is also to me a relief to hear that it is the inten- tion of Government to take active measures to deal with this very pressing question, and I think there is no doubt at all that you will have the weight of the opinion of the community behind you in dealing with it. It is the sort of question on which the ordinary man in the street does not air his opinion to any very great extent, but it would be a mistake to suppose that the weight of argument and the weight of opinion is behind the minority who, perhaps, give greater publicity to their views,
It seems to me, Sir, that whatever may be our views as to the remedy for the trouble, there is no question but that we must agree, in the light of the evidence of the Report, that it is a very serious danger to the community, and that it is a danger that is on the increase. It seems to me, therefore, that merely on the grounds of public health, if for no other reason, it is the duty of Government to deal with it and stamp it out by whatever means are possible, just as they would deal with cholera or plague or smallpox or any other disease. The health and stamina of the community here--of such portion of the immigrants as settle down amongst us and become ermanent citizens are among the greatest assets to the future pros- perity of the country, and I think that to allow such a state of affairs as is disclosed by this Report to continue to undermine that health would be nothing short of a crime. (Applause.)
MR. TAN CHENG LOCK: Sir, I also feel gratified at the measures that Govern- ment is proposing to take in the serious matter of the suppression of venereal disease. If the Report of the Venereal Diseases Committee is correct in saying— as I believe it is correct-that venereal disease is rampant amongst all classes of the community and that it is on the increase, then I think that the obvious course to follow is to adopt some substantial measures to check the spread of the disease and to tackle the perif that is threatening the ruination of the community. I think the present state of affairs, as has been already stated by previous speakers, is serious, and I think something of real practical value should be done to improve
matters.
I have also carefully read the Report of the Committee, and I must say that I wonder whether I I agree largely with their recommendations and conclusions. would be in order in emphasizing a few points in connexion with the measures proposed to be taken. If I may, I should like to say that certain points should be particularly borne in mind in proposing these measures of control of prostitutes.
In the first place, I think the prostitutes should be very fairly and sympathetic- ally treated (The Governor hear, hear), so that they may be made to feel that control is meant to be in their interests and not measures taken to oppress them (The Governor hear, hear). Secondly, I think that private hospitals and hostels- as mentioned in the letter of Dr. Travers, a copy of which is given in the Report— should be allowed by Government provided a certain amount of Government control is exercised over them. That will enable the prostitute to choose any hospital or hostel she may desire to go to. My point in saying that is that Asiatics all that
say they do not receive good treatment in Government hospitals.
The next point I should like to mention is that an Advisory Board of interested citizens should be formed to help and advise the department responsible for control, so that the prostitutes, if they have any grievance for which they seek redress, may make their representation through the Advisory Board. It is a well-known fact that Asiatics are afraid to approach high European officials and will only go to people of their own nationality.
The next point I should like to make is in regard to educational and, if possible. moral propaganda to warn people against the dangers of promiscuous sexual intercourse, and that should be conducted both inside and outside the schools.
The great difficulty of control would be the question of clandestine prostitution. for I can positively say that there is both moral and social stigma attaching to the calling of the prostitute in this country, especially in the case of people born in this country who have relatives resident here.
Another thing is police control. I am not at all sure whether in the suppres- sion of clandestine prostitution our police can be very much trusted to deal with. prostitutes. (Applause.)
7
Enclosure 2 in No. 10.
A BILL
INTITULED
An Ordinance for the prevention of Venereal Diseases.
Ir is hereby enacted by the Governor of the Straits Settlements with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof as follows:-
1.
Short Title.
This Ordinance may be cited as the Venereal Diseases Ordinance, 1924. 2. In this Ordinance unless there is something repugnant in the subject or Interpreta
context-
3.
ני
"Approved Doctor means a Medical Practitioner approved by the Controller as a fit and proper person to carry out the medical inspection of prostitutes prescribed by this "Ordinance or to undertake the treatment of infected prostitutes in hospitals or approved hostels as set out in section 14.
"Brothel includes any house or part of a house hired by or on behalf
of any prostitute for the purpose of her calling whether she resides there or not, and if any house or part of a house is so hired and used on one occasion only such use shall constitute such house or part of a house a brothel during
such use.
"Controller" means the officer appointed by the Governor to carry out the duties and exercise the powers prescribed by this Ordinance, and shall include any Assistant Controller.
"Prostitute" means a woman who has sexual connexion with members of the public or of any portion of the public for remuneration, and any one
such act of sexual connexion for remuneration by any woman will be deemed sufficient to constitute such woman a prostitute.
tion.
(1) The Governor in Council may direct the Controller to keep a register Register of
of all brothels situated within the area specified in such order.
brothels to be kept by
(2) The register shall contain such particulars as the Controller may direct, Controller. (3) Any person who acts as keeper of an unregistered brothel or being the owner penalty for or occupier of any premises knowingly permits them to be used as an unregistered keeping brothel shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance.
brothel.
unregistered
4. No male shall act as keeper of a brothel, and no male shall reside upon any Brothel premises or part of premises which are used as a brothel.
5. (1) No woman shall act as the keeper of a registered brothel unless she has Brothels to obtained a licence from the Controller in the prescribed form.
keepers to be females.
be registered
and keeper
(2) Every keeper of a registered brothel shall reside in such brothel unless per to reside mitted to be absent by the Controller, and shall be responsible for the due perform- there. ance therein of all provisions of this Ordinance or of any rules or orders made or given thereunder relating to brothels and for the maintenance of good order therein. (3) Any person acting as a keeper of a registered brothel without being regis- tered in that behalf shall be guilty of an offence against this-Ordinance, and any keeper of a brothel who without the permission of the Controller fails to reside in such brothel shall be liable to a penalty of $25 for each night during which she is absent from such brothel.
servants In
6. Every keeper of a registered brothel shall supply the Controller with a list Lier of of all servants residing therein, together with such description and means of brothel. identification as may be required by the Controller. A copy of such list shall always be kept in the registered premises and shall be produced by the keeper on demand of the Controller or of any officer nominated by him. Any brothel-keeper who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $10.
uuices a
7. A keeper of a registered brothel shall not permit any woman to reside No woman therein for the purpose of prostitution unless such woman is licensed as a prostitute. prostitute to Any keeper who fails to comply with the provisions of this section shall be guilty of live in a an offence against this Ordinance.
brothel.
be licensed,
8. (1) No woman shall follow the calling of prostitute unless she is licensed Prostitutes to by the Controller in that behalf and any woman following the calling of prostitute who is not so licensed shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance.
9. Any woman other than the keeper or a servant notified under section 6 who resides in a brothel shall be presumed to be there for the purpose of prostitution.
Preauniption.