CO129-472 - Others - 1921 — Page 463

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SINGAPORE

GENERAL REPORT

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460

PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT.

Chinese Meetings.

(Cont.)

(Cont.)

The Council were asked by the Commissioners to support the policy of free diagnosis and treatment, and to assist in an educational campaign among the Chinese community. The Council passed & resolution in favour of free diagnosis and treatment, and offered to appoint a Committee from among their own number to confer with the Medical Department, or with the local Council for Combating Venereal Diseases if formed. This Committee would both advise and initiate on educational matters.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce meeting was presided over by the President and between 50 and 30 members were present. The members were asked to support the policy of the Commission.

At the end of the meeting the President, on behalf of the Chamber promised the fullest co-opera- tion, and offered all help the Government felt the Chamber could give in the dissemination of information by meetings or in any other suitable way. Conference of Ministers of all Denominations.

The meeting was small in numbers, but there were present representatives of the Church of England, the Methodists and the Wesleyans.

Those present undertook to support the scheme for extending the recreational facilities at present available for members of the Mercantile Marine. Conference of Judicial and Police Authorities.

A brief address was given on comparative legislation. The existing laws on venereal disease were gone through with the Attorney General who took the Ontario and Western Australian Acts to be copied for their guidance in Singapore. Women's Meetings.

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Owing to the absence of Her Excellency, Lady Guillemard, it was difficult to arrange drawing-room meetings, during the first wek of the Commissioners' visit. Two were held one at Lady Murison's, presided over by Lady Guillemard one at Kra. Salmond's, wife of the head of the Eastern Telegraph Company. In addition two meetings for women and social workers were held in the morning at the Y.M.O.A.

The result of the meeting held at Lady Murison's was the appointment of a representative Committee of women with direction to co-operate with the Committee appointed at the Conference of Municipal and Port Authorities in formulating plans for a Singapore Welfare Association which should under- take to promote facilities for recreation for officers and men of the Mercantile Marine and for the junior employes of firms.