A MINISTER- PROTESTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume 1, Issue 7, 13 February 1914, Page 8

A MINISTER- PROTESTS.

MENTALLY DULL CHILDREN. AUSTRALIA NOT A LAND OF if ' FEEBLE-MINDED., 1, \ ' >' ' X,. . p'- , * ■■ Cable.'—Press ' Association.—-Copyright. SYDNEY, February 12. : }-r\ The Hon. A. ,C. Carmichael, Minister J bf Public Instruction, is indignant at l~ the cabled report of the Auckland fj, Medical Congress with regard to the f- feeble-minded. He said: "I do not ? rfemeraber ever reading a worse libel on At.-etralia than the statement that four ' per cent of Australian children are definitely: feeble-minded and- twelve per ■- cent so mentally dull as to require special- training.. I cannot speak for ~ other States, but, as far as. New South ± Waled is concerned, I am convinced the Congress had absolutely no i drita fd.* making such a sweeping condemnation." After quoting school statistics in disnroof. Mr Carmichael added: "We are - -grappling earnestly with the difficult problem of providing education for " menially deficient children, but I do i:- no'„ think that it is in the interests Cf" * y of Australia or> that it will do any p- good to aggravate our deficiencies, j.: There are plenty of people rea ly to cry 1-/ fish' with regard to our rejj£"' sources and industrial conditions, but, £■-' in hoaven's name, let them restrain themselves when it comes to handing 1 Australia as a land of feeble-iiiinded."