MENTAL DEFECTIVES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 August 1928, Page 10

MENTAL DEFECTIVES

THE BILL EXPLAINED

DEALING WITH “RETARDATES

(By Telegraph) (From “The Mail’s” .Parliamentary Reporter).

WELLINGTON, Bth .August. A meeting, called very hastily, took place yesterday afternoon at the* Parliamentary Buildings, to enable sumo of the educational people and women's socioties to hear something about the Mental Defectives Amendment Bill, which is the subject of so much discussion at present. Dr. Ada Paterson presided, and there was a large attendance, representatives of most of the organised societies being present. Dr. Gray, Director-General of Mental Hospitals, gave a clear explanation of. the Bill, dealing mainly with the clauses concerning “retardates.” lie said that the Bill could only contain a framework of what was intended, as it was impossible to put in every detail of the plan. This plan was formed largely on the results of the workings of institutions which he had seen while abroad, .though lie t,yas far from recommending any legislation simply because this or that was done in other parts of tho world. But there were some things which were both expedient and possible for New. Zealand, and lie was glad to recommend them as having been successful elsewhere. The great object to be gained for the children under discussion was to help* them, and to prevent them from wasting their school days. Sometimes a child would be retarded in his studies simply from want of good environment, or health reasons which were quite remediable, and lie felt that the sooner this was discovered and remedied the better for the child. The Bill provided for steps being taken after two years of retardation, but he thought that this would be amended to three years, as lie found that the number who would come in would be too great to cope with till the working of the whole system was tried and assured. The process would be that if a teacher found that a- child was not keeping pace with the others in the class hi/ would take notice of the fact, and if (his went oil continuously it would he reported to the head teacher. In his turn the headmaster would communicate with the head of the nearest clinic, who would see that the child was properly examined and tested. If the troublo was slight suggestions would be made, hut if serious it was proposed that the name should be sent‘to the board for further consideration. Tile great object was to secure, as far as possible, that none of the boys and girls who were retarded in their studies for any reason, should go on missing education, so that when they left school they had to take inferior positions, and get~ the idea that they were inferior people. If they had little talent for book work and good motive power, then means would be taken to cultivate their best points to the best advantage. He hoped that more than one clinic would be established, to enable all to take advantage of what they had to offer. A social worker would be. attached to the clinic, and would assist in the work STERILISATION Dr. Gray then gave a sketch of the rest of the Bill, mentioning in particular the clause about sterilisation, saying that it had been of much benefit abroad, and lie was satisfied that in certain cases it was the most humane proceeding possible. It would he only carried out in the case of real mental defectives with the consent of parents or guardians, or in the case of others -with their own consent, and would he a minor operation.. In reply to a question, lie stated that he was of opinion, from inquiry and conviction, that there was no fear of anti-social traits developing in the people thus treated. He explained the difficulties in ■ the way of segregation, and also the lack of humanity in taking people away from ordinary life and keeping them apart. He thought it would be better in quite a number of cases to sterilise in o*»der to prevent reproduction, and save much misery on the part of little'children, and also in families where tlies4 people married intcf and brought trouble into otherwise quite Healthy and normal stock. ■