T1he Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 12, 1929. A COMMENDABLE DECISION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10921, 12 June 1929, Page 4

Tlhe Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY WEDNESDAY, JUNE, 12, 1929. A COMMENDABLE DECISION.

The Government can reckon upon very general approval of its proposal to establish one or more half-wav houses for that class of unfortunates designated “down-and-outs.” In making the announcement at Auckland, the Prime Minister pointed out that it would ho in the interests of such people if they could be earecl lot in more pleasant surroundings during the evening of tlloir lives. What is intended, it would seem, is that magistrates shall ho given discretionary power to commit such persons to one of the new kind of homes. It is, of course, common knowledge that in the past, many of these unfortunate people have been charged with vagrancy arid sent to prison so as to keep them out of harm’s way for a time. As a matter of fact, their only crime lias been that of poverty, combined with mental or physical decrepitude, and a disinclination to enter, or remain in, an Old People’s Homo. The 'establishment of half-way houses will enable the present homes for old people to Ivo relieved of numbers of inmates who do not feel at home. Under,' the scheme too, it will he possible to cater for others who are merely eking out a miserably existence, and who arc too proud to enter an Old People’s Home. It would seem thpt it is also the intention of the Government to make provision for the. accommodation, at the proposed new homes, of members of that section of mental hospital inmates whoso main affliction is simply harmlessness and who do not require special care and attention. Complimenting Sir Joseph Ward on his decision on the matter, Mr. Wallace, the chairman of tho Auckland Hospital Board, and president of the New Zealand Hospital Boards’ Association, made these pertinent remarks: “Tho down-and-outs are a very difficult problem for Hospital Boards and I congratulate you heartily on bringing the scheme forward. All the other Hospital Boards will re-echo iriy congratulations, for the problem is the same all over New Zealand.” What will he widely agreed is that the care of this unfortunate class of people should he tho direct responsibility of the State and FEho project will represent a. distinct 6tep forward in connection with the scheme of humanitarian legislation.