MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20035, 27 August 1928, Page 11

MENTAL DEFECTIVES.

THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION. MR. TRIGGS* EXPOSITION. MORE INFORMATION SOUGHT. The following letter, signed by Professor W. Anderson and others, regarding the Mental Defectives Bill, has been received:— In regard to a series of articles published in your paper by the Hon. W. H. Triggs, we would like to ask the following questions:— (1) As there is much misunderstanding in regard to the bill, and as critics of the bill have been accused of "misrepresentation," will the Government publish the bill where Mr. Triggs' articles have been published, and let the public judge for themselves ?

(2) Critics of the bill are nearly always told that "the bill must be interpreted in terms of Dr. Gray's report." Is Dr. Gray's report or the bill to become law ? Any parts of Dr. Gray's report that are intended to become operative should be incorporated in the bill. If they are not so incorporated is it not perfectly obvious they will be a dead letter as far as the law is concerned ?

Transmission of Defectiveness. (3) In view of the fact that feeblemindedness, if inherited on orthodox Mendelian lines, is transmitted in an indirect way, what does the Government propose to do in regard to perfectly normal people who may conceivably pass on the defect? We submit that if it is proposed to register normal people as well as those actually feeble-minded, the number of names on the register would grow to simply enormous proportions. Will Mr. Trigg3 tell the public plainly how far the Government intends to go in this matter? (4) Wc note Mr. Triggs states that "feeble'-mindedness is undoubtedly at- the root of chronic pauperism throughout the world." Does Mr. Triggs deny the following: "No economist of repute would endorse the view that mental deficiency is a major cause of pauperism, or that 50 per cent, of paupers are mentally deficient. Indeed, the majority of economists hold the view that pauperism results mainly from poverty, and that poveity is due mainly to imperfections in our economic organisation and in the social environment. It is well known that the curve of pauperism in the United Kingdom follows a year behind the curve of unemployment?" If chronic pauperism results from mental deficiency, are we to suppose the mental level higher in good times and lower in bad ? Are not such reflections as Mr. Triggs', by casting a slur on the poorest classes, likely to promote class hatred, with its resulting economic discord and consequent increase in poverty ? (5) Mr. Triggs alludes to the time when " the workhouses of England were emptied of able-bodied, but shiftless and ' feckless,' persons of low mentality, shipped out here with the idea that in the fresh environment of a young country they would make good." Will Mr. Triggs produce the evidence on which he bases this astounding assertion ? Juvenile Delinquency.

(6) As regards Mr. Triggs' statement that a large proportion of crime is due to feeble-mindedness, we submit that there is absolutely no real evidence for such assertions. How does Mr. Triggs reconcile this statement with the fact that while Goddard declared in 1915 that 50 per cent, of delinquent children were feeble-minded, recent researchers, using almost identical methods, n£>w declare (according to the latest investigations, 1922), that only 7 per cent, of delinquent children are feeble-minded ?

(7) We note that Mr. Triggs declares naively that the Committee of Inquiry has " not found it necessary to rely on scientific theory." We would like to remind him of Huxley's remark that science is " common "sense organised." Sound scientific theory is erected on a basis of ascertained fact. By ignoring the edifice of the theory, is not Mr. Triggs also in danger of neglecting its foundation of fact?

(8) In regard to Mr. Triggs' remarks on " the Nordic race," we would respectfully ask whether this skilful appeal fo race prejudice constitutes an argument in favour of the Mental Defectives Bill ?

The Danger of Mistakes. (9) In conclusion, recognising as we do the existence of a grave problem, and earnestly desirous as we are, that a fitting solution should bo found for it. ws are deeply concerned lest attempts should be made to deal with it on the wrong lines; Wo submit that the proper treatment of disease, be it, of the individual or of the nation, deponda upon correct diagnosis and accurate prescription. If we do not understand the nature of the disease, or prescribe the wrong treatment, however good our intentions may be, we are in grave danger of doing more harm than good. May wo remind Mr. Triggs that " to prove that there is a case for action of some sort is not to prove that the present legislation is justifiable?" The letter is signed by W. Anderson, M.A., professor of philosophy, Auckland l/niversity College; H. K. Archdall, M.A., headmaster, King's College, Auckland; A. Boasley, president Assistant Master Association; G. Gordon Bell, M.A., vicar of St. Sepulchre's; H. Belshaw, M.A., Ph.D., professor of economics, Auckland University College; -W. Bos well, M.A.; (Mrs.) Jean Boswell: Thomas Bloodworth; Marguerite W. Crookes, M.A., lecturer on botany, W.E.A.: A. B. Fitt, M.A., professor of education, Auckland University College; J. P. Grossman, M.A., professor of history, late lecturer on mental and moral philosophy, Auckland University College; A. Kenner, welfare worker; W. 0. Lamb; Edna Graham Macky (Mrs. Victor Macky); Agnes Mackay; M. H. Moon; (Mrs.) R. Moore; B. MacGregor, lecturer in zoology, Auckland University College; IT. Banston, M.A., Litt.D., Methodist Training College; (Mrs.) F. M. Buinger.

SUGGESTED AMENDMENTS. OPINION OF SOCIAL WORKERS. Delegates from eleven social welfare organisations attended the meeting of the Auckland Social Welfare Council held recently. Tito president, Mr. C. J. Tunks. presided. Ihc president, gave an address on the Mental Defectives Bill, after which considerable discussion took place. Resolutions were carried unanimously expressing tho opinion that wider representation of the oublic or of existing social service organisations was required on the board, to be set. up under the legislation ; that the proposed travelling clinic should be controlled by the Education Department and not the Mental Hospitals Department; and that the names required to be sent on to tho board under clause 15, 2.8, should bo confined to those of such children as, in the opinion of the Director of Education, after report from the head teacher concerned, are likely to come within the definition of section 2 of the principal Act. as amended by clause 7 of tho amending bill.