LICENSED VICE IN SINGAPORE
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—The letter of Lady Balfour of Burleigh in your issue of June 6th will no doubt be read with great interest by a large number of people in Singapore and elsewhere, as it refers to a far-reaching evil, the prevention of which has been under the consideration of the authorities for some time past. To say that disease is " rampant in the colony among natives and Europeans " is a gross exaggeration and will be strongly resented by the local and Colonial Govern- ment and by the medical authorities in the colony. Such cases do exist, as they exist elsewhere, but not more so in ratio to the population than in any large European city. There is a great deal more vice in the city of London and other towns which wants attending to. Moreover, the houses your correspondent refers to are not licensed and there are a much larger number of Japanese women titan Chinese. I know Dr. Rattray, whom her ladyship refers to ; he is a most eminent member of his profession, has resided and practised in the colony for many years, and would not put forward any schemes or regulations unless they were for the benefit of the colony and the welfare and protection of the community. Whatever he suggests will carry great weight with the official and unofficial members of the Legis- lative Council when the new Enactment for the regulation of the evil comes up for debate, and they will undoubtedly see that such action is taken as under all the circumstances they think necessary.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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