STERILISATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 14

STERILISATION

NEW METHODIST DECISION "STOCK PLACED BEFORE HUMANS" (From Our Own couhespondent) SYDNEY, March 7. . In a speech in favour of sterilisation of the physically and mentally unfit at the Methodist Conference yesterday the Rev. L. A. R. Taylor, of Narooma, charged New South Wales with having put the interest of stock breeders before the breeding of a healthy stock of humans. " It is time that this country realised that there are matters of greater importance than improving the breed of sheep and cattle, and the pedigrees of pigs and puppies," declared Mr Taylor. " It is a reflection upon our wisdom and our national outlook that we spend large sums of money in the scientific breeding and care of our stock, and disregard all the lessons of science and common sense irf regard to the physical and mental fitness of humans, upon whom we depend for the future development of our nation. As Christian people, Methodists should not be afraid to face what is a growing menace. As present we arc permitting the entry ,into -the world of a large number of uuwanted and mentally deficient children, who, if not murdered before birth, must endure a life of neglect and miserv. If- not a menace to society they become a menace on the State."

Mr Taylor moved the following, motion, which was carried:—" That this conference with a view to the adoption of legislation adequate to counteract th«? social ills resulting from the prevalence of mental and physical defect and disorder, recommends to the State and Federal Governments, through the Ministers of Health, the advisibility and urgency of appointing a commission of experts competent to examine and report upon hereditary transmission and other causes of mental deficiency; and the physical, psychological, and social value of sterilisation."