THE FEEBLE MINDED.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 20011, 14 February 1914, Page 5

THE FEEBLE MINDED.

AN IRATE MINISTER. A LIBEL ON AUSTRALIA. (I'nited Press Association. 4—Copyright, Received 12.55 a.m.. Feb. 13. • SYDNEY. February 13. Mr Garmichael is indignant at the cabled report from the Auckland Medictal 'Congress in regard! to the ■ feebleminded. He said he did not remember ever reading a worse libel on Ausfcralia than the statement that four per ' cent, of Australian children were definitely feeble-minded and twelve per cent, so mentally dull that they require sDecial training. He cannot speak for other States, but, so far as New South Wales is concerned, he is convinced that the Congress had absolutely no data for making such a sweeping condemnation. After quoting school statistics in. disproof of the allegation, Mr, Oarmichael added: "We-are grappling in earnest with a difficult problem in providing education for mentally deficient children, but I do not think, in the interests of Australia, that I can do any good to aggravate our deficiencies. There are plenty of pdople ready to cry 'stinking fish' in regard to our resources and industrial conditions, but in heaven's name let them restrain themselves when it conies to branding Australia as a land of the feeble-minded."

(Dr. Yale has subsequently stated that .he said 1.2 (not 12 per cent.) of Australian children were mentally dull.)