Legalised Prostitution
p. 57 · Read in the full issue
Sir, —It would probably be far too much to expect that a proposal re cently made in Tahiti to introduce legalised prostitution would be con sidered seriously in Papua-New Guinea.
However, legalised prostitution in the large coastal towns would eliminate, or, at the very least, minimise the unnatural situation forced on large numbers of men of all colours who are denied women for long periods.
This enforced celibacy is surely responsible for some of the drunkenness and attacks on women in these towns.
Before the “do-gooders”, and pro tectors of female dignity (often regardless of the feelings of the females) launch into a high crescendo of protest at this suggestion, I would remind them that it is, after all, a biological problem, that will be solved by no amount of healthy re creation and the diversion of minds into “useful” channels.
One of the reasons for the present unsatisfactory situation is the failure of the Administration and other em ployers to provide satisfactory married accommodation for their workers. Legalised prostitution may well be the answer.
K. W. T. Bourke.
Cremorne, NSW.