CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 110

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to explain to you, as I explained to them,

what opinion I hold on the subject, and

to give you instructions as to the

course which you should adopt.

4.

I do not propose to discuss the

moral aspect of the question. To do so

would serve no useful purpose. There

are certain existing facts and conditions

and with them I will now proceed to deal

with a view to the adoption of practi-

cal measures.

5.

These facts and conditions are as

follows:

The Contagious Diseases Acts were

repealed in this country in deference

to a strong expression of public opinion.

Whether that opinion was well or ill

founded, judicious or the reverse,

1 is

unnecessary now to enquire.

The fact

remains that the Acts were repealed, and

that similar laws in the Crown Colonies and

India