SOCIAL WELFARE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 18 July 1928, Page 5

SOCIAL WELFARE

DRASTIC PROVISIONS. IN GOVERNMENT BILL. FOR MENTAL DEFECTIVES. (By Telegraph—Special to The Star.) WELLINGTON, July 17. Two drastic proposals in the interests of society are contained in t-lie Mental Defectives Amendment Bill which was introduced by the Governor’s message in the House to-night. The measure had been hardly mentioned when the subjects loomed up by way of question from Mr T. K. 'Sidev, who inquired of the Minister of Health whether the Bill proposed to give effect to the recommendation of the committee on mental defectives that -there should 'be a register of mentally deficient persons with whom it would be illegal to make a contract of marriage. Mr Sidev also inquired whether the Minister proposed -to set up a board, as recommended <bv the same committee.

Mr P. Fraser suggested that any legislation dealing with mental defectives was of the highest importance and would need to be very carefully considered by Parliament. He certainly felt that if the Bill was on the main linos of Dr. Gray’s report, it would be on the lines of advancement. On such a question, however, there prevailed all sorts of wild theories in regard to eugenics, very often very ill-informed and badly substantiated, so that it behoved those' entrusted with the duty of legislating to walk very warily'aml cautiously. It. was quite possible to do infinite harm by producing a thousand more bewildering problems than the one it was proposed to correct. “I hope that in considering this measure, ” added.Mr Fraser,“that we will be on sure and ascertained ground, not working on theories which may be unwarrantable and which Interfere with the liberties of many citizens.”

SIGNAL STEP FORWARD. The Hon. J. A. Young assured the House tnat the Bill represented a signal step forward in the matter of social reform. It was founded oh the recommendation of the -Comnfittec on Mental Defectives, which reported in 1924 and also, the recommendations of Dr. Gray, as the result of his trip abroad. The Bill extended the classifications of mentally defectives. There were six under the present law and it was proposed to add a seventh, which would he called “Persons -Socially Defective.’’ This really covered those who were feebleminded. This was what the authorities regarded as • a very essential classification. It also amended the present emergency procedure 'for the committal to- mental hospitals and would enable patients to bo removed from the police court atmosphere which sometimes came into this procedure.

MENTAL DEFECTIVES REGISTER. The Minister added that another important matter was that the Bill, in accordance with the recommendations of the committee and of Dr. Gray, proposed to set up a special hoard which would have certain powers delegated to it over certain classes of mentally, defective persons. Among Jits functions would he the compilation of register of all feeble-minded persons, to secure proper supervision and to hold inquiries as to whether any person should be registered as feeble-minded.

c, ‘ There are other clauses, ” continued Mr Young, “and I want to assure the member for Wellington Central that so far as my own opinion and that of Dr. Gray is concerned, we are moving very warily in this matter, not attempting any heroic experiments but moving on sound lines, guided by the best possible experience from all parts of the world. Among the proposals is one that marriage between registered persons shall not be permitted, except under special circumstances to be approved by the board.” The Bill would make it an offence to supply a feeble-minded person with intoxicants, because many of these people were, quite useful citizens until they obtained liquor, when they lost everv trace of self-control.

STERILISATION OF THE UNFIT. The Minister proceeded to deal with clause 25 of his 'Bill, which empowers the board to authorise, in the public interest, the sterilisation of any registered person, if in the special circumstances it. thinks fit to do so. There was nothing compulsory proposed, said the Minister. It would be purely voluntary and under the direction of the board, while in the case of minors wno were mentally defective, it could only take place in circumstances whore the parents or guardians so desired. Mr Fraser: ‘‘What do you hope to achieve by this sterilisation stunt-” The Minister: “Bv that? It. prevents the propogation of a particular type of feeble-minded) who as is known, multiply very freely.” . Mr Fraser: “Sot up a board of .‘Got! Almightys’!” The Minister replied that he would be prepared to accept amendments which would offer every possible safeguard and Parliament would have at its disposal the best expert skill and advice, because the Bill was an honest endeavour to solve a difficulty which confronted society to-dav.

'CONSTITUTION OF THE BOARD. The special board to have supervision over certain classes mentally defective persons is to consist of the Director-General of Mental Hospitals, who shall be chairman, the DirectorGeneral of Health, the Director of Education, the ■Controller-General of Prisons, a medical officer on the staff of the Mental Hospitals Department, to Ik appointed on the ground that he is possessed of special psychiatric: training and experience, two other members, at least one of whom shall be a woman, and the other, who shall be appointed on the recommendation in a prescribed manner of such social service organisations as are for the time being recognised by the Minister, whose object or one of whoso principal objects is the amelioration of conditions affecting the mentally defective persons, including the supervision, 'care or visitation of persons registered under this Act. It is proposed that Parliament may make grants towards toe expenses of social service organisations.