267
1. PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Referance :-
EPERNIC.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON'
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
:
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Mrs. Rolfe urged that propaganda could be effected by means of films, as was done in Shanghai. It was considered that this was a question which should be further considered.
(iii) Disparity between Sexes.—The difference in numbers between male and female immigrant Chinese was now decreasing, and more women were coming in: in addition the Hailams were now bringing in their womenfolk. Mr. Beatty con- sidered that it would not be possible to adopt a quota" system as regards immi- gration; the great obstacle to the increase in the female population of Singapore is the lack of sufficient house accommodation.
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(iv) Medical examination of known prostitutes.-The efficacy of the medical examination of known prostitutes was discussed and the opinion was expressed that the system of examination, though better than nothing, possessed no medical value. Mr. Beatty, however, expressed the opinion that it had a definite preventive value. The doctors, who were engaged by the brothel keepers to carry out these examina- some members tions were said to be making large profits, and it was suggested of the Committee that for that reason they did not wish any action to be taken. In this connexion it was pointed out that no Government Medical Officer was concerned with the system.
V. It was decided that the Third Meeting of the Committee should be held at the Colonial Office on Wednesday, the 11th March, at 3.30 p.m.
20th February, 1925.
[Attached to 17511/25]
No. 18.
MINUTES OF THE THIRD MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL HYGIENE, HELD AT THE COLONIAL OFFICE ON WEDNESDAY, THE 11TH MARCH, 1925, at 3.30 p.M.
Present:
SIR GILBERT GRINDLE, K.C.M.G., C.B. (in the Chair).
LADY ASTOR, M.P.
DR. F. J. H. COUTTS, C.B.
J. H. HARRIS, Esq.
S. W. HARRIS, Esq., C.B., C.V.O.
COLONEL D. HARVEY, C.M.G., C.B.E.
DR. A. E. HORN, C.M.G.
A. B. MACLACHLAN, ESQ.
MRS. C. NEVILLE ROLFE, O.B.E.
SURGEON-COMMANDER T. B. SHAW, R.N.
E. B. TURNER, Esq., F.R.C.S.
DR. J. DOUGLAS WHITE.
D. BEATTY, Esq., Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Straits Settlements.
W. T. CHAPMAN, ESQ., Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Federated Malay
States.
DR. A. BoSTOCK HILL.
H. BECKETT, Esq., Colonial Office.
G. H. CREASY, Esq., Secretary.
I. THE Minutes* of the Second Meeting of the Committee were approved,
subject to the following amendments:—
(a) In the first sentence of paragraph III (a) for the words "in con- nexion with Venereal Disease" substitute the words "in connexion with the administration of public health, including Venereal Disease."
(b) In the third section of paragrapli III (a) omit the words "by them- selves" and "additional."
(c) In paragraph III (a) (1) omit the words "in the brothels."
II. The Committee had before them notes which had been prepared by Mr. Postock Hill, Mr. Beatty, Mr. Chapman, and Mrs. Neville Rolfe for consideration
* No. 17.
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in connexion with the question of Venereal Disease at Singapore (see Appendix A). They had also before them an outline draft report which had been prepared by Lady Astor, Dr. Douglas White, and Mr. J. H. Harris (see Appendix B).
Some discussion took place regarding the form of the Report which the Com- It was felt that, while it might be mittee should submit to the Secretary of State. desirable to suggest that a further local inquiry should be held, it was essential that the Committee should lay down the principles on which they recommended that action should be taken to deal with the situation, it being understood that modifi- cations might be required to suit local conditions.
one of the Committee's It was urged by some of the Members that recommendations should be that the recognition or toleration of brothels by the It Government should cease, and that it should be made illegal to keep a brothel. was recognized that action in this respect could not be carried through at once, but it was considered that it would be necessary to specify a definite period by the end of which the change must have taken place.
III. The Committee then considered in detail the notes submitted by Dr. Bostock Hill, Mr. Beatty, Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Neville Rolfe (see Appendix A). Section I.-After some discussion it was agreed that this section should be amended to read as follows:-
"It is desirable, in order to protect minors, to extend the sphere of influence of the Chinese Protectorate as at present exercised to include the non-Cantonese Chinese and other races so long as present conditions exist. Section 11.-It was decided to amend this section to read :—
"It is recommended that action should be taken forthwith to suppress brothels used by Europeans."
Section III.-It was decided to substitute the words " and any measures taken should effect" for the words " and should be dealt with by medical regulations affecting."
Section IV. It was decided to insert the word "Adequate" at the beginning of the section, to substitute the word "available" for the word "provided," and to add at the end of the section the words "and advertisements of quack medicines should be abolished by law."
Sections V and VI.-Considerable doubt was felt whether it was advisable to apply the power of compulsory segregation, such as is conferred by the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (No. 157.R.S.1920), in cases of venereal disease. It was argued that compulsory segregation would be ineffective without compulsory treatment, which could not be tolerated, and that, in view of the mentality of the Chinese, the adoption of such a measure would militate against the advantages to be secured by free treatment. On the other hand it was felt that, in view of the housing conditions in Singapore and the present unwillingness of the Chinese to undergo voluntary treatment, it might be desirable for the local authorities to have the power to enforce the compulsory segregation of persons infected with venereal disease in a virulently infective condition.
It was decided to substitute for Sections V and VI-a section which should read :-
"It is recommended that further consideration should be given to the question whether, in order to supplement free treatment, it may be desirable that power should be taken, similar to that conferred by the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance (No. 157.R.S.1920), for the compulsory segregation of persons infected with venereal disease in a virulently infective condition."
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Section VII-It was decided to omit the words "the physiological and social value of monogamy." which might be construed as suggesting interference with the Mohammedan religion.
Section VIII.-For the reason given above it was decided to omit the words and the scientific basis of monogamy," and it was also decided to add at the end of the words "at the discretion of the Colonial authorities."
Section IX.-The oninion was expressed that the use of films might do more It harm than good, though it was stated that their use had been effective in China. was decided that the recommendation contained in this section should be added at the end of Section X.
Section X.-It was decided to substitute for the words "the voluntary organi- zation in every way to disseminate information" the words "the dissemination in every way of information on venercal discase."