NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 228, 27 September 1938, Page 14

NATIONAL COUNCIL.

Problem of Propagation

Of Feeble-minded,

As a preparation to a discussion on

the remit from the Auckland District Federation of Women's Institutes an address on feebleminded people was given to the member* of the Xational Council of Women last night hy Dr. Elizabeth Hughes. In the absence of the president, Miss fi. M. Hemns, Mrs. A. D. Camphell presided at the meeting.

J The remit submitted to the council by the Auckland District Federation of Women's Institutes dealt with the question of the propagation of feeble-initided children, and in discussing the social problems involved. Dr. Elizabeth Hughes stressed the fact that she was speaking as a private individual and not in her capacity as medical officer to the Children's Psychological Clinic.

In stating the problems briefly and clearly, Dr. Kli/.abeth Hughes spoke first of the various classes of feeble-minded, and explained how the children of the 'higher grade could be trained and educated to the extent of [HM-forming useful service to the community. For example, she pointed out that many of the girls made capable domestics, while the boys could manage ear|>eiiteritig and other similar work. Feeble-minded children, she nnid, were infinitely better off in sjiecial classes under specially qualified teachers. Seven of these classes existed in Auckland attached to the State schools. There were, however. she continued, some ways in which they could be extended to increase their usefulness, one being the extending of facilities for further manual training in the case of boys. Residential classes were urgently needed in the North Island, she stated, the only ones at present established in the Dominion being in the South Island.

"There is practically no remedial treatment for these children whose condition is congenital and lifelong," said Dr. Hughes. "The only preventive treatment is the prevention of propagation. A certain percentage of The children inherit their weakness fron either the father or mother or from both parents. It is in studying cases such as these," said Dr. Hughes, "that one realises the need for either segregation or sterilisation."

For the feeble-minded children of a higher grade who were able to earn their own living in a humble capacity, and who were capable of good citizenship, Dr. Hughes advocated sterilisation, either compulsory or voluntary. For the lower grade of feeble-minded people, who were totally unable to support themselves, segregation would be more desirable, and in many eases it was necessary.

Importance of Question.

Dr. Hughes pointed out the work that was being done in other countries in this direction, and stressed the importance of the question with regard to the future health of the race. She concluded her talk by explaining that as well as involving medical theories the problem was one that had t great bearing on the moral and philosophical ideals of the members of the community. Following her address Dr. Hughes replied to the questions on the subject not to her by the members of the council. Appreciation of Dr. Hughes' address ws* expressed by Dr. Margaret Knight. As a result of the discission Mrs. David Nathan proposed that a study circle should be set up next year, and that members of the 8.M..A. and other experts should be asked to address the member* on the «nbject. This motion was seconded by Miss Ellen Melville who pointed out that the matter was ~ne which could not be dropped, and that it would involve considerable study and thought.

Another subject which involved considerable discussion at the meeting last night was the remit from the Tamaki Women's Progressive League, asking that the Government be urged to enforce the proper administration of the Pure Foods Art, especially in respect to preservatives which were being used in foods. After a discussion on -the laxity of the enforcing of the regulations, this remit was unanimously passed.

New Women's Club Remit

A notice of motion was brought forward l,y the delegate from the X ew \\ omens ( Iul». Tins remit suggested that the <lovernment be asked to appoint a committee of the House to study the proposals brought toward bv the'Lon<loti Chamber of Commerce, with the possibility of tliese being Ut * e d for world peace and disarmament. The as outlined by the N'ew Women's Club ''"■> 1 the surest ion that there should be an international trading svs . tern based on the exchange of %><Kte independent, of gold, and that money should be used as an index of value and that the exchange value of different national currencies should be kept as constant as possible and should not be submitted to the pressure of buving and selling currencies on the foreign exchange market.

The proposals further stated that in each country a national general bank should have the monopoly of discounting foreign commercial bills presented by firms or banks of repute; that an international clearing house situated in (Jeneva should act as a final bookkeeper and that all-foreign commercial bills should be sent to this clearing house and entered there to the credit or debit of the respective countries at a fixed rate of exchange; that international money payments, whether in respect of interest or debts, reparations, etc., should be received in the form of goods or services against which no corresponding export'should he made by the, receiving country.

It was suggested by several members of the National Council of Women that at the present moment the question involved was rather beyond their scope, and Miss Kllen Melville'brought forward the proposal that it should be used as a subject for the study circles next year. BAND DANCE. The Band Hall. Taharoto Park, Takapuna, was the scene of another gather" ing of dance patrons on Saturday. Dance music was rendered by the band's own orchestra, with the' usual accordeon extras. The fourth series of 20/- in value Monte Carlo waltz prizes was won by Miss E. Howe and Mr. A Lyons, of Takapuna.