MENTAL HOSPITAL REFORM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18101, 17 June 1924, Page 9

MENTAL HOSPITAL REFORM.

SUGGESTED AMENDMENT OF ADMINISTRATION.

■j lie lie v. W. J. Williams moved at last night's meeting of the Council of "urisnan Congregations: "That inasmuch as mental hospitals are public institutions supported mainly by public funds, in the judgment of this Council it is highly desirable that in the management of such institutions the public should be represented. To this end the Council suggests that the Government make provision by legislation for the election of Local Boards of Control which shall function with regard to mental hospitals as Hospiial' and Charitable Aid Boards do v.ith regard to general Hospitals. Mr \'. illianis said that the attairs of mental hospitals were as much to the general public as were general hospitals. At present the public was ignorant of tlie management of, ana happenings at, these hospitals, and he was at a loss to understand why they did not take more interest in the matter. I lie mover quoted statistics to show the ages of inmates of the mental hosnitals, and figures showing tue accommodation provided and the total numljer of inmates. The sum of £3 £ 7 r •310 was expended yearly on mental hospitals in the Dominion, and the sum received in fees, and "for sales of produce was £112,504. it was surprising to find that the Board of Health did not touch the mental hospitals. As soaii as a man was admitted to a mental hospital his estate passed to the Public Trustee for administration. The Inspector-General of Health appointed otfuial ins'iectors for these hospitals. The sneaker said he had nothing to sav against this official or hjs staff, but it was questionable if this autocratic mode of administering tho mental hospitals was the best. .He found that "the idea was growing that it was not so and local Boards would he more satisfactory. Mrs W. ]{oberts, who seconded the motion, said that her mother, who had been one of the official visitors of the mental hospitals, had been able to effect some reforms. It was not to find fault but for the benefit of the public that some new form of administration was desirable. The Rev. fl. Williams said that the mental hospitals and public hospitals were not on the same footing. The Rev. J. F. C'oursey supported the previous speaker, and said he could not vote for the motion. Popularly elected Boards were not always the best. Too much notice should not be taken of Colonel T. W. Macdonakl's statement, which had not been substantiated. Archbishop Julius agreed with the two previous sneakers, but said that lull light should be thrown on the administration. Elected were not always wise, however, and much wisdom was necessary. Ho would prefer that a committee be set up to go into the matter and_ report at a later meeting. The position of an official visitor was not enough and from experience he knew that was £O. On the motion of the Rev. Courses, the Revs. W. J. and H. Williams. F. Rule, and P. C. Revel 1, and Mi's Roberts were appointed a committee to investigate the matter and report at, a later meeting, the original motion being left over.