LAX LUNACY LAWS.

NZ Truth, Issue 60, 18 August 1906, Page 4

LAX LUNACY LAWS.

There has long been an impression —a most painful impression— existing m the community . tjSKt- the facilities for getting people into the lunatic asylum are far too easy. Also, that there are a large number at present confined m these hells of imbecility who should not be there, and who should be given their liberty. It is fairly common for applications to be made for the commital of persons of violent characteristics who are obnoxious to their relatives who would like to see them shifted Out of the road. When persons of this class are Charged with such an offence as insanity (for it is very uncharitably called an offence to be minus your wits) they naturally get highly indignant, and their sulphurous remonstrances and eccentric conduct lead the doctors to judge that they really are mad. But often the examination made by the doctors is of the most cursory nature ; assurances of well-to-do relatives, unfortunately, often affect their better judgment, and, so the unfortunate devils drift into an asylum where their condition often becomes worse, and they may stay [among the raving maniacs for life. There is a better outlook for these poor devils m the near future, however, if the Government will give effect to the proposal made by the Trades' Council people who have been giving consideration to this and other social questions with a view to protecting; unfortunate humanity. When the proposed Bill is before Parliament it would not be a bad idea to include a "half-way" house, so to speak— an institution where people m the first stage of lunacy could be treated. They would then have a chance, and would be afforded better treatment than if they were cast 'into the asylum nroper right away. Tt is also proposed that- r>eoi>!e should only he deprived of their ' liberty after the most stringent m

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to provide a heavy penalty iv cases where illegal uses are made by these institutions. Further, as it is suspected that the patients m numerous instances are brutally ill-used m the asylums when they become ' a bit violent, it is asked that the penalty should be enforced where brutality is shown to have been perpetrated. One Sunnyside attendant was punished (all too leniently) a while back for bashing a patient into a state of "reason," or "submission." The brute's excuse was that he had been out liquoring up. Weil, that class of [attendant should be blocked at every j public institution of this or any other sort. Boards of Appeal are suggested not only m connection with asylums, but also orphanages, industrial schools, and all places (except gaols) where people can be detained against their wills, such boards to have power to deal with unjust dismissal of attendants and nurses, or arbitrary and unjust treatment of the same by superior officers, or any case of suspected illegal detention. A controlling board of this sort would gfive the Burnham Industrial School attendants some sort of justice. They have been very badly treated, and the Commissioner appointed to investigate the matter has kept the whole trouble secret. Parliament may, however, see the evidence laid on the table of the House shortly. A comprehensive measure on the lines suggested above would be most welcome ; it certainly is badly required.