“NOT FOR CRIMINALS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 155, 21 September 1927, Page 9

“NOT FOR CRIMINALS”

HOSPITAL INFIRMARY SENILE-DECAY CASES “Cup infirmary was never intended for criminals or semi-crim-inals. We should protest against its conversion into a prison!” Mr. William Wallace, chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board, expressed himself strongly yesterday when a request was received from the Minister of Health that the board would not oppose committal of people suffering from senile decay to the old people’s homes in preference to mental hospitals or prisons. “When the olcl people have no criminal record we would be reluctant to refuse them admission,” said Mr. Wallace, “but we would be wanting in our duties if we allowed the place to be converted into a prison. It is the duty of the department and not of the board, to provide a half-way house for these people. The people at the home would look on us askance if we ad - mitted them.” Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P.: This is a liability on the State, and I am wondering how many more of the State’s duties are to be unloaded on to public bodies. Whatever the object of the home was, it was not to hole, those sort of people. “If we did have them, they would be treated much better than under Government regulations,’’ raid Mr. M. J. Coyle. It was decided to advise that the board could not agree to the request, and to protest against the proposal. Mr. E. H. Potter: Should we not say we have no accommodation ? The Chairman: No, make no bones about it. Mr. Savage and I will wait on the Director-General at the end of the week. ___________