COMMITTALS

NZ Truth, Issue 1228, 13 June 1929, Page 1

COMMITTALS

Greater Gam Needed WOMEN'S: VIEW

(From "If.Z. Truth's" Wellington Rep.) Recently a deputation representing the Women's Service Guild waited upon the Minister', of Jus-.-tice, Hon. T. M. Wilford, and submitted certain proposals relative to mental .hospital patients. :. . THE case for, the guild was sum- " marised' in a : resolution which was submitted to the Minister. -^ -■ It was urged that special bbserva-r tion wards ; be established at the Public Hospital,' wherein all patients who are. the subject of .applications for ■ r.eceptioh orders shall havertheir cases thoroughly investigated by competent, alienists; 'and that rib persons shall be removed therefrom to a mental hospital until t at 'least two medical certificates have been obtained 'approving such removal. '. ■•j r ;'.' : ~.. . That a magistrate shall attend ' at the ".hospital to. satisfy himself, • ' personally, that such committal is • necessary before sfgning: a recep- ; tion order to, a mental hospital was another point emphasised.- •;■'-. It was also submitted that the presiding magistrate should, at his discretion," direct a- prosecution where he was satisfied that unwarranted application has been made for a mental hospital reception order, and that the Mental Hospitals Act shall' provide for monetary penalties or punishment by imprisonment to be ordered by the" court m such cases. ■ • * "We have placed this resolution.:, . before you,"- the deputation, tot d r the Minister, "because the Penalty ■ .Clause^ comes under your juris-; diction. . This resolution .was. ■;. framed as the result of the Broughton case (fully dealt with at the ". time jn'NiZ. Truth') and- othei" in-" • formation we have received. ' "Our society ■ is anxious to' see .the added safeguard of pun/shmerit, for people who apply for mental hospital reception orders fi*om improper motives." ; ' T!he Minister assured the deputation that every consideration would, be given to r the points raised. :