MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14900, 13 February 1914, Page 7

MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

DISCUSSION AT MEDICAL

CONGRESS

"A LIBEL ON AUSTRALIA."

(By Cable—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received February 13th, 12.55 a.m.) SYDNEY, February 12.

Mr Carmicbael, Minister of Education, is indignant at the cabled report of the Auckland Medical Congress in regard to feeble-minded children. He says: —"I don't remember ever reading a worse libel on Australia than the statement that four per oent. of Australian children are definitely feebleminded, and twelve per cent, so mentally dull that they require special training. I cannot speak for other States, but as far as New South Wales is concerned I am convinced the Congress had absolutely no data for making euch a sweeping condemnation/

After quoting school statistics in disproof,. Mr Carmichael added: —"We are grappling in earnest with the difficult problems of providing education for mentally deficient ohildren, but I do not think it is in the interests of Australia, or that it will do any good, to aggravate our deficiencies in this respect. Plenty of people are ready to cry 'stinking fish , in regard to our resources and industrial conditions, but in Heaven's name let them restrain themselves when it comes to branding Australia as the land of the feebleminded."