CARE OF THE INSANE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18918, 5 February 1927, Page 14

CARE OF THE INSANE.

*. DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. REFORMS MADE ; OTHERS TO FOLLOW. iIHK PBS33 SpocUl Serecc i DI'NEDLX, February \. Treatment of sexual offenders and patients of mental hospitals as outlined in the recommendations of the Mental Defectives Commission oi ly.'o, and the passing of legislation U govern the .. sorship of pictures ana theatres, were urged upon the Hon. Mr Young (Minister lor Health; by a deputation li-oin the National Council ot Women, introduced Iv Mr J. M. Dickson, M.i'., to-day. A long reply was made by the Minister, in wlucn he detailed the recommendations already adopted and working effectively, ana outlined tho Government's proposals. ..... Mrs Leech said they were individually' rather unimportant persons, but they were speaking on behalf of the womanhood ot New Zealand, and also the world, as all women were striving lor the same reforms and enlightened treatment of mental defectives such as was recommended in the valuable report of the Dominion Commission. 'lhe National Council- complimented the Health Department on its »isdoni i" tho institution of that Commission. However, the Commission had sat in 19*25, and tho report contained such moderate yet adequate recommendations that'it was hailed with cnthusi* asm throughout the thoughtful and r-dical worlds in New Zealand, but it was now 1927, and the public- was not aware that any definite steps had been taken yet to put the recommendations into force, nor that legislation had been brought down to carry them into effect. Dr. Grant Gray had been sent bv the Minister to study special aspects of the problems in America and England, and for that the National Council expressed the utmost satisfaction, but that was not enough. They realised however, that finance and other matters made it difficult for the whole recommendations to he put into force.

The Minister said that some misunderstanding had arisen. Some of the reforms recommended bv the Commission were now in operation, and working most effectively. During the past twelve months tho Government had .spent a lot of money, and was still spending, on mental hospitals, in removing from them as far as possible tho stigmas which attached to them. They were no different from the ordinary hospitals, where diseases of the body and accidents were treated. Mr Young •urged everyone to remember that though their bodily strength was good, they might at any time suffer from mental upset. The Government had now subsidised the Hospital Boards in the four centres to the extent of £SOO annually, to establish a mental clinic at the hospitals. Hid Department':' officers were to attend at least once weekly, so as to recoive reports and to advise. A lot of good was being done, and the idea was gradually being changed to mental hospital, and not insane asylum. Nice cottage residences, in charge of n man and his wife, were being arranged for. Here the border cases would live during their period under the charge of the authorities. Such a home was to be opened in Wellington shortly, and everyone would have an opportunity o£ seeing what was being done. The hnnic« would ho near the main institution, hut beyond view of it. and there the nntients would get Nature's medicine, np was right out after the provision ff n nv>m for the reception at hospitals of patients showing signs of mental trouble, so that the sufferer"! would tint have to so to the nolice rolls. Children were beinT classified, too. and 'be MiniV ter for Education was nttending tc the education of the children.

As fo the appointment of women to the Boards. Hfr Young said that official visitors werp being appointed, and he was "ratified that their reports were so satisfactory.