A GROWING PROBLEM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17062, 21 September 1929, Page 8

A GROWING PROBLEM

MENTAL HOSPITALS RELIEVING OVERCROWDING (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. In the House of Representatives tho Mental Hospitals Department .estimate, £309,121, was taken. Mr. P. Fraser (L.) stated that overcrowding of mental hospitals was a growing problem, along with the growth of population. He asked that more money should be provided to meet this need, and to bring the institutions up. to date.

Mr. W. 11. Field (llj said wonders were being done at mental institutions, and it was satisfactory that 110 complaints had been made. The Rev. C. Carr (JL) commended the separate housing of feeble-minded children, and congratulated the Minister on the establishment in Wellington of a psychological clinic, which he hoped wouHT'he extended. He hoped also that the mental hospitals would be brought under the 'boards, though he thought the present hospital beards had enough to do.

Mr. W. R* Lysnnr (I.) complained of inadequate expenditure on mental hospitals and also referred to the lack of accommodation.

The Minister stated that in a few days he would introduce a bill that would give relief in the matter of overcrowding of institutions. It would enable infirm cases to he removed and placed in other places, where they would have greater ireedom. The vote was passed.