MENTAL DEFECTIVES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 82, 31 December 1928, Page 8

MENTAL DEFECTIVES

OPERATION OF NEW ACT STATEMENT BY MINISTER By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckand, December 29. The coming into operation of the Mental Defectives Amendment Act on January 1 was referred to by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy (Minister for Hospitals) this morning on his arrival from Wellington. “Having regard to the very serious interests involved, due to the need for reconciliation of the equally sacred rights of personal liberty on one hand with those of social stability and progress on the other, it will be the policy of the Hospital Department of the Government to develop such plans and machinery as will progressively give effect to the provisions of the Act in the widest possible way,” said Mr. Stallworthy. “The special board to be set up under the Act will meet as early as possible in January. With the exception of two members the constitution of the board of seveu is established by the Act itself. “The problem to be faced is a complex and difficult one, calling for sagacity, patience and sacrifice. However, in the ultimate the exercise of these virtues will make for progress in both human and economic spheres. It is encouraging and gives confidence for the future to reflect that in past achievements we have ample demonstration of the moral fibre and capacity of New Zealanders in worthwhile undertakings. Success in the field of social readjustment must depend in the end not on mere legislative enactment nor on theory, but on applied common sense founded on experience enlightened by vision and fortified by faith and hope.”