GRAVE REFLECTION.

Otaki Mail, 1 September 1930, Page 3

GRAVE REFLECTION.

ON MENTAL HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION. MINISTER CHALLENGES MR. ! LYSNAR. Wellington, Last Night. "In effect •Mr j™ Lysnar has accused 'the medical officers of institutions under my control of an indictable offence. It is now incumbent upon him to give, names and particulars in order that an inquiry may be made and justice done to,the victims o.E.this,.alleged outrage." w This was the comment of the Minister of Health, Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, when his attention, was drawn to the xemarks reported to have been made by Mr. W. D. Lysnar, M.l\, in tho course of a debate on the Divorce and Matrimonial Causes Amendment Bill. Mr. Lysnar is reported to have stated that: (1) He knew,of cases where hundreds had .been., mental hospitals by their wives for purposes of divorce. (2). .TJnleas, .these persons had friends outside the institutions they would probably remain the re ten years. . (3) One caso"'*had come under his notice recently of a woman who had _i»eCn .put into an asylum by her husband. , Mr." Lysnar said he had iater.ccded for her- loss 'than two years ago and tho result was that to-day she was 'walking the streets .of. Wellington with .■nothing the nialter with her. The Minister said he had investigated these statements., and none of them appeared to have the slightest foundation in fact. , .

Beplying to them categoricully he gaid:—

r (1) "If Mr.' Lysnar" knew of any (such case, it -wak surely incumbent fupou him'to make proper representa ftions to the Minister in charge of the Department and to supply the _ names and particulars in order that inquiry may be made'-"and justice done to the (victims of the. alleged outrage.

(2) ."This statement in effect accuses medical officers of the institutions •.referred to of an indictable offence and it is a very, serious matter indeed. The aiiedical siip'emitendeht'' Of a mental hospital is required' under our New Zealand Act to certify to the mental condition of all patients'admitted to Ms institution ■■and' 1 the'.''making of | a false Statement in this respect' is "an indiettible offence under section 125 of the Act. .■.'"."' -,.'-:

J- (3) "Mr. Lysiiar has-'niade'no representations . to me '.on behalf of any female who has been discharged from any mental,hospital since I have-occu-pied the position of Health. a- am further advised on inquiry by the of Mental Hospitals Shut no female patient has been discnarged from any mental' hospital in •the iJpmmioa djjjing the past, say, five ?fears, in tes l»iiSe to an intercession- of i«VIr. Lysnar."

*t > \J? oxpresed ' the hope H aa not been, eorrect£V, C £Sf W Ut as the statements atand likely to have a daniagin* effect upon the reputation of mental hospitals he was bouiidto take the earliest opportunity refuting-,^aem.