CRIMINAL LUNATICS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21257, 31 August 1934, Page 12

CRIMINAL LUNATICS

♦ CONFINEMENT IN SPECIAL INSTITUTION I From Our 'Parliamentary Ks-porter.} WELLINGTON, August CiU. The* confinement of criminal lunatics in a special institution was lorecast by the Minister for Health (the j Hon. J. A. Young;, replying in the House of Representatives to-day to j . the debate on the annual report or. the mental hospitals of the Dominion. "X hope we shall be able to select Borne locality to establish a suitable institution for this type of patient," the Minister said. "We have not a great many criminal lunatics, but those we have are certainly a problem, as they . require special protection, not only in their own interests but in the inter- ■ ests of the community." The Minister said he admitted that there was still some overcowding in the mental hospitals; but the problem was being tackled seriously, both by himself and by the Government. He "was pleased to report that the position to-day was better than it had been in the past. During the last 12 months, no less a sum than £73,000 had been spent on alterations, improvements, and additions. This year lie had made arrangements with the Treasury for an expenditure of ; £90,000. "Although we have to look after the ■business side of the work, care is taken to see that no financial hardship is imposed on families," the Minister . said. "The patients themselves have 1 .no knowledge of the accounts, which are controlled by the head office in "Wellington, and not by the medical „ .'superintendent or other officers con- < nected with the hospital. This ro- : :jmoves entirely any suspicion on til* part of a patient that lie may r.ot i 1 "be getting l'air treatment on account .. of inability to pay." The Minister said everything pusi sible was done to effect "cures. If. '' however, after a course o£ six month.? ■ there was no improvement in the eon- ! clition of a patient, there was not much ' hope for his future. Speaking generally, however, persons who had suf- ' tered a breakdown in health responded quickly when they were i> placed in beautiful surroundings and given an opportunity to erijov I'r- sii • air, sunshine, and good li.wl