MENTAL DEFECTIVES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 68, 31 December 1928, Page 2

MENTAL DEFECTIVES

PROVISIONS OF THE NEW ACT.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER. AUCKLAND, This Day. The coming into operation of the Mental Defectives Amendment Act on January 1 was referred to by the Minister for Hospitals (Mr Stallworthy) this morning, on arrival from Wellington.

"Having regard to the very serious interests involved, due reconciliation of the equally sacred rights of personal liberty on the one hand, with those of social stability and progress on the other, it will be the policy of the Hospitals Department of the Government to develop such plans and machinery as will progressively give effect to the provisions of the Act in the wisest possible way," said Mr Stallworthy. "The special Board to be set up under the Act of this year," he said, will meet as early as possible in January. With the exception of two mem-, bers, the constitution of the Board of seven is established by the Act itself. The inauguration of the real functioning of the Mental Hospitals Department will be coincident with the first meeting of the Board. "The problem to be faced is a complex and difficult one, calling for sagacity, patience and sacrifice. However, the ultimate exercise of these virtues will make for progress in both the human and the economic sphere. It is encouraging, and it gives confidence for the future, to reflect that in past achievements we have ample demonstration of the moral fibre and the capacity of New Zealanders in worthwhile undertakings. Success in the field of social readjustment must depend in the end not on more legislative enactment, nor on theory, but on applied common sense, founded on experience, enlightened by vision, and fortified bv faith and hope."