FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7254, 10 October 1910, Page 5

FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN

THEIR CARE AND CONTROL. Borne interesting remarks upon the permanent care and control of feeble-minded children, particularly girls, are made by

he considered alongside of the important one of national degeneracy. In New Zealand, he says, there are alrcadv under consideration some 150 cases 'of mental deficiency, apart from those included as insane, habitual criminals. or chronic -inebriates. These 150 cases liavo come to light without any special canvass, so that the total number of mental defectives in this Dominion who arc as vet outside institutional care must be considcr-

(1) To enable them to contribute to their own support. , , . (2) To save them from harsh treatment at homo and in the streets. (3) To prevent them becoming drunkards, criminals, and prostitutes. ~ (4> q’o prevent them giving birth to children who can only grow up to bo a burden to the community. The habitual criminal, tho chronic inebriate, the degenerate, tho defective, and tho insane should not be allowed to pol-

Photo by May Moore, Wellington. THE OFFICE AND INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF OF THE JUNIOR CADET DEPARTMENT, 1910,

Standing, back row from left —Staff-Serg Barlow. Front row, standing—Armourei Front row, siti

the principal , of the Otekaike school in his annual raport, which has been laid before Parliament. He points out that it is now generally conceded that mental deficiency is not a mere accident or freak, but that it is the result of certain definite antecedent conditions, .and is largely inherited. It is also found that the feebleminded problem is no isolated one, but is in fact intimately connected with insanity, epilepsy, alcoholism, consumption, and other conditions which give rise to mental and physical weakness. The question of tho care of th© feeble-minded, then, must ■

able. The Education Act of 1908 provides for tho compulsory education of afflicted children between th© ages of seven and ixteen, but it cannot be assumed that normal intelligence dawns at this age as a matter of course. At this critical ago the protection o£ the law is still necessary. Aftercare Committees have been appointedin various* large towns in England, with the object of promoting the welfare of ■ defective children • when they have* left school; but the results * have-been very disappointing. It is generally recognised now that the only thing. for tho majority of these cases Is * permanent control. ' This : was deemed necesary for the following reasons:

lute tho stream of human development. As Professor Karl Pearson says. “The State must do in future, consciously, what evolution, natural law', has done in the past. Segregation, without opportunity to multiply their kind, is the only profitable course for the social reformer who would reduce th© number of the physically and mentally defective."

reant Just, Staff-Servant Mellows, Staff-Sergeant Cmmmngs, Staff-Sergeant Bishop, Mr Hears. Staff-Sergeant McDonald, Accountant H. B. Jacobs, Staff-Sergeant Eoutlcdgo, Staff-bergeant Lenneay. ;ing—Typiste, Miss McGinnity, Staff Officer Lieutenant Steve ns; Commandant Majoi McDonald.