MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 14

MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

■ PROBLEM IN DOMINION. EXPERT TO STUDY OVERSEAS. THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION [Bi* TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Ihursday. A deputation representative of the women's organisations throughout New Zealand waited on the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young, to-day urging him to put into operation the recommendations contained in the report of the Mental Defectives and Sexual Off en dei a Committee of Inquiry, whicFT was set up in 1924 under the chairmanship of the Hon. W. H. Triggs. In his reply Mr. Young said the prolv lem of the feeble-minded was a very grave one. The Government recognised that and had set up a commission. Its report had not been pigeon-holed and would not be forgotten. Tho whole question was under consideration now and Dr. Gray, Deputy-Inspector General of Mental Hospitals, who was much interested in it, was being sent by the Government to Great Britain and Europe to make investigations on this subject and other matters incidental to the treatment and probable care of mental defectives. Whatever would be done would have to liavo tho support of tho public, It was | pleasing to lsoto that the women's organisations were helping the Government to solve this problem. Whatever was don? would havo to bo done in small steps. He did not want to say too much at this stage, but it was his duty to give a load in tho matter. Ho realised that 0110 of tho first step in the solution of tho problem was to get a. complete register of all persons who were feeble-minded. Hg suggested that st eps 'be taken in the way of tarmntg a eugenics board or other Similar board, with people of tho right type. He was sympathetic with the proposal thqt protection should be given to feeble-minded girls. Apart from tho question feeing one of economics or philanthropy, there was the question -of humanity. He would consult experts, to whom ho looked for advice, before the Government brought down legislation. Ho regretted that it was too lato to do anything this sets ion, but he hoped to have the co-operation o{ the deputation in the way of friendly criicism of any proposals when the Government brought down legislation. He looked to the ladies' organisations to help the Government in solving the problem.