MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 140, 5 August 1911, Page 6

MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL.

APPROVAL OF THE MEASURE

Speaking to a Christchurch “Press” reporter of the Mental Defectives Pill, which lias been ’introduced nr tie House, of Representatives by tno l b u. Geo. Fowlds (and a copy of which reached ns yesterday), Mr. li. W Bn: hop. S.M., said that, .moving no n."i ; of the Bill than had been published in the newspapers, he had P.lined the idea that if it became law it would be a distinct advance upon tbo present system. The safety of tiio public, be felt sure, would 1 o amply safeguarded by tiro provisions cl the Bill so there would be little to Jtai iii that direction. The change pro meditated’ which pleased „him most was one which was advocated by the Eugenics Society and which lie and others had advocated upon many occasions. In the Bill a mentally defective person was defined as “a person who, owing to his mental condition, required oversight, care, or control, for his own good, or in the public interest.” At present the information laid in,;each case, road “a lunatic not being under proper care and control.” The benefit to the community of the change proposed to be effected would be apparent to all. A doctor with considerable experience in the case of the mentally afflicted both in England and in the Dominion, also expressed approval of the Bill, so far as it. could he understood from the resume published. The proposed definition of one mentally defective would strengthen the position of officers in charge of mental institutions, immensely, as it would enable them to secure the •detention of some persons who, while not mad, perhaps were in such mental condition that it would not be well for themselves or for the public at large that they should have their libeity. Especially this would be the case in regard to young women who were mentally defective and sexually degenerate. In his experience medical officers in charge of mental hospitals had detained such women for as long as possible, being" finally compelled to release them despite the knowledge that they wore likely to breed degenerates. Another good point about the Bill was the provision that those having doubts about their mental condition could obtain entrance to mental hospitals at their own request. He had known of men who realised blurt ..they were fit, subjects for observation and had desired to enter an institution, but had been unable to do so because they could not obtain two by medical officers that they were insane, as required by the Act.