CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 399

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VENEREAL DISEASE.

COMMISSION'S AIM IN HONGKONG.

The Far East Commission appointed by the Society for Combating the Prevalence of Venereal Disease arrived in Hongkong on Wednesday, and took up its Headquarters at the Hongkong Hotel. .The Com- mission comprises two members, Dr. Rupert Hallam and Mrs.) Neville Rolfe, and their mission in this Colony will consist of advocating measures by which the disease can be combated and prevented.

As a first step, the Commission will get into touch with the Governmentand the general bodies appointed by the Government for the maintenance of public health and the educational and clerical; organization and with their co-operation.

to institute measures by the appoint- ment of a local body to enquire into the prevalence of the disease here and to take necessary steps. I The abolition of houses of ill-repute, will be advocated, 8.6 far 28 circumstances permit, and the provision of, medical treatment for sufferers.

It will be the fundamental aim of the Commission to provide free medical treatment for all, regard-{ less of the financial circumstances under which the patients may be placed.

With the aid of a number of lectures, and the co-operation of local Gympathisere in the work, the Commission is confidenf! that its visit will not have been ineffectual.

Dr. Hallam was much interest

to learn that the Japanese Con- sul-General (Mr. G. Ohmori), for reasons connected with national prestige, was inclined to favour the abolition of the Japanese brothels in Hongkong and the Bending back of their inmates to Japan. In Japan, Dr. Hallam remarked, the work! of the Commission had been of a' highly successful character and when it left that country, the ex- change of views between the Com. mission and the Japanese health organizations had concurred on the necessity of a maintenance of the mutual relations that the visīt of the Commission had establish- ed.

Dr. Hallam says the Society is maintained by public spirited Britishers and the Commissions which were sont out to the West Indies and the Far East have the cordial and entire approval of the British Government,

The Commission has toured Canada, Japan and Shanghai, and after completing its engagements here, will proceed to Singapore and Colombo before returning to England.

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The South China Morny Post Junway 31, 1921.