CARE OF FEEBLE-MINDED.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7029, 18 January 1910, Page 9

CARE OF FEEBLE-MINDED.

SUGGESTED LETHAL CHAMBER. At a meeting held in Plymouth-with reference to the care of the feeble-mind-ed, the Mavor (Mr A. Edmund Spender), who was unable to bo present owing to illness, wrote to the chairman, bir Charles Radford, a letter, in which he emphasised the importance of a solution "if we are not to see the virility of the nation wrecked by criminal _ indifference.” "My own belief,” ho added, is thut the segregation of the feeble-minded is but the alpha of our duty. We are wasting millions on the erection of expensive buildings in tho most salubrious neighbourhoods; tho maintenance of an . enormous official staff, and the providing of good food. For what purpose ? To help to live those who have not and never again will have one gleUm of intelligence—this is called humanity. "Medical science has made such strides that it is possible to submit these idiots to a painless death, and release them from tho purgatory of non-intelligence. Spend rather the money now wasted with such profligboy on schemes such as those adopted by the Mothers’ Union Society, maternity institutions, and the Institution of Creches, and a different dawn will arise." His worship concluded: "X know I lay myself open to criticism; eo do all men who make bold to express themselves upon subjects which strike at the root of archaic practices. I am prepared ’ to be riddled with the shot of abneo because X ! believe that with strict safeguards the course I advocate would bo the most humane;, it is certainly the roost sane.” The Rev. Dr. Binns subsequently protested against this suggestion lia unchristian.