LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6215, 1 August 1898, Page 1

LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

THE OVERCROWDING QUESTION

THE OPPOSITION SEEKING PARTY CAPITAL. [FUOM Otiß CoitUESr-ONDKNT.] WELLINGTON, July 30.

Taking their cue from the report of Dr Maegregor, on the subject of the overcrowded condition of the asylums, the leaders of the Opposition are putting forth determined efforts to in< kd party capital out of the subject. Captain Uusscll, Mr Duthie and Mr Rolleston liave each, in turn, delivered an attack on tno Government, in connection with the alleged neglect of lunatics, and Ministers and their siniport<>rs have been driven into the positi^n'of rebutting «t the same time the statements of Oppositionists and of the Inspector of Asylums. The result has. been to drag a, prominent public official and an unfortunate class of sufferers into the*domain of party politics. The Premier has /repeatedly stated, in reply to the 'assertion of Oppositionists, that there is no serious ground for complaint as to the condition of lunati^ asylums, unit -Mr Graham took occasion the ( other dsy to say that, while Dr Macgregor's statements regarding the Nelson institution were correct at the time the report was written, the evil liad since- been remedied. *

At Friday's sitting, Mr Meredith,'; by means of a question, drew the Premier's^ attention to tiie report of Dr Levinge, Medical Superintendent of tho Christchurch lunatic asylum, on the subject of lunatics, idiots and imbeciles. The Premier denied that there was e-ny tlung in the way of a scandal existing in regard to the asylums, and only that morning an official visitor told him that neither 'the Wellington nor the Porima asylum was overcrowded. The Government was dealing with the matter in such a. way as would, he was sure, commend itself to the people of the colon}-. At Sunnysiqe there was a room used for visitors which could be set aside for separate treatment, and if such a step as tliat wes generally taken, the necessary accommodation would be provided. The asylums contained many people who had no right to be there. He thought that they should have m assistant inspector, as the work at present was too much for one man. At the same sitting Mr Rolleston asked v hat were the intentions of the Government in the matter of Dr Macgregor's recommendations. He- said he thought that .the House ought to know whst was going to be done. He parodied a Latin quotation, and freely translated it to mean, "It is lunatics who suffer irom the insanity of Ministers."

'J he Premier, retorting in a similar spirit of levity, ssid that the Opposition was apparently bent on championing the cause of the ■ lunatics. Whether Ministers would be able to deal satisfactorily with the idiots of the colony was ' another . question. •'(" Hear, hear," end laughter,) If the Opposition took it iti turns to attack the Government on this subject, it would bring the Inspector into such close connection with the Opposition as would lead him to say, " Save me from my friends."' This question should be considered beyond party. When they heard of cycle tracks, billiard rooms and new rooms for doctors, the complaints of overcrowding were very much discounted. Dr Macgregor's complaints were chronic, and dated from a time anterior to the present Government being in power. The course taken by the Opposition on this question savoured of insanity. The reform of the asylum system, as suggested by Mr RollcsUm, was purely a niatter of £ sd. If they were to have the cottage system, it meant that an immense sum of money would have to be provided. The first step to be taken was to take- out of the asylums all tlrise who liad no right to be there, cud to make their relations pay for them. He wf-s the first to draw attention to that state of things. He believed that it would be a good tiling if they engaged an expert. It was monstrous that the Government should ha accused of carelessness in regard to these poor creatures. He thought that reform was required in the present mode of committal through the medium of the police, and as soon as possible there would be a more frequent exchange of patients between the asylums of the colony, by way of a change for curative purposes. The asylums of this country would compare favourably with those of England, but he believed that superior methods were employed on the continent of Europe. It is considered likely that the Financial Statement will contain proposals for the appointment of a sub-inspector of Asylums and Hospitals, and perhaps also make provision for the appointment of a German expert in the treatment of the insane. The evening paper here characterises the Premier's statements as a "cowardly and reprehensible" attempt to cast a slur on Dr Maegregor, and accuses the Government of making " covert threr.ts " against that official. It seems likely that a good deal more will be heard on the subject before the session | closes.