files reveals that many persons and bodies
have during recent times urged upon the Government the desirability of
setting up a Committee or Commission of Inquiry to go into this subject.
The appointment of the present Committee, however, arose out of a
suggestion forwarded to the Chairman of the Board of Health, under date
of the 20th June, 1922, from the Council of the New Zealand Branch of
the British Medical Association. The Board of Health duly considered the
representations of the Association and passed a resolution recommending
the Minister to set up a committee to gather data and to make
recommendations as to the best means of preventing and combating
venereal diseases. The proposal thereafter took concrete form, following
the receipt by the members of this Committee of the under-quoted letter,
dated 13th July, 1922, sent out under your direction by the Secretary of
the Board of Health:--

"I am directed by the Hon. the Minister of Health, Chairman of this
Board, to inform you that, acting upon the recommendation of the
Board, he has decided to appoint a special Committee from among the
members of the Board to conduct an inquiry into the question of
venereal diseases in New Zealand. The following members are being
asked to become members of the Committee, and the Chairman trusts
you will see your way to accept the position: Dr. Valintine, Dr.
Elliott, Lady Luke, Hon. Mr. Triggs, Sir Donald McGavin, Mr.
Fraser. The Hon. the Minister has asked the Hon. Mr. Triggs to
accept the chairmanship of the Committee.

"I am further directed to state that the function and duty laid
upon the Committee is as follows:--

"(1.) To inquire into and report upon the prevalence; of venereal
disease in New Zealand.

"(2.) To inquire into and report any special reasons or causes for
the existence of venereal disease in New Zealand.

"(3.) To advise as to the best means of combating and preventing
venereal disease in New Zealand, and especially as to the necessity
or otherwise of fresh legislation in the matter.

"The Minister of Health is anxious that the Committee should hear
such evidence and representations on the above-mentioned matters as
may be necessary to fully inform the Committee on the items
referred to it, and with respect to which it is asked to report,
and he further suggests to the Committee that