MENTAL PATIENTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16760, 19 June 1925, Page 10

MENTAL PATIENTS.

SOLDIERS’ RESOLUTIONS. (Per Press Association.) DUNEDIN, last night. The. greator amount of time during the afternoon sitting of the R.S.A. Conference! was occupied in hearing written charges made by Colonel T. W. AleDonald in connection ■ with soldier mental patients. This matter was dealt with privately. Alter hearing the report and a lengthy discussion, it was decided “ that this Council, having considered tho report of the standing sub-com-mittee upon the charges nude by Colonel McDonald against the Government at a meeting of the Wellington Association Hold on June 4, 1924 in connection with the commitment of returned soldiers to mental hospitals finds as follows

Charge: 1 : That from 1916 lo 1919 certain soldiers were illegally detained in mental hospitals from varying periods in contravention of the provisions of tho Mental Defectives Act, 1911, The- finding is that the charge is proved. Charge 2: That when representations were made to the Government, on the above subject during tho period aforesaid, Ministers of the Crown represented the position to the Returned SoUlicis’ Association and to l’arlianiunt. Tim finding is that certain statements rnado by the Ministers as above were substantially incorrect.

Charge 3: That when a Commission was set up by Ihe Governmcint to inquire into the complaint, of a certain soldier, that lie had been illegally detained as aforesaid, the Commissioner exonerated officials who wore responsible for the- wrong done to the man and

stigmatised the complainant ns suffering from a form of mental disorder. The finding is that the Council does not find, any reason to impugn the hona tides of the Commissioner who investigated this complaint, hut it is satisfied that the whole facts were not before the Commissioner, and that, the officials concerned took thciir Original action, although illegal, believing such action to bo in the host interests of the soldiers concerned, and that the Wellington Association be informed accordingly. Tha Council therefore directs headquarters to approach the. propel authorities immediately so that appropriate action may be taken.”