NOTES OF THE DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1499, 23 July 1912, Page 6

NOTES OF THE DAY.

The scandalous neglect of the Continuous Ministry to provide adequate accommodation for.the unfortunate inmates of the Mental Hospitals of the Dominion was very fully exposed last year in connection with certain unhappy experiences in connection with-these institutions. At the time, and on other occasions, tho defenders of the then Government made a good deal of the fact that the Government had in hand the work of erecting a large mental hospital building at Tokanui, on the North Island Main Trunk railway. This hospital was to Oe a model institution. It was to be so arranged as to provide for a proper classification of patients, everything was to bo on the most up-to-date lines, and the inmates were to enJDy all the advantages which experience, had taught to be desirable in fhe treatment of the mentally afflicted This was the very, pleasant picture painted for the benefit of the pub lie. The actual facts of the case regarding the Tokanui Mental Hospital present a very different aspect, and we would commend the matter to the early attention of the new Minister in charge of the Depart nienfc. In the first place, ho might inquire as to who was responsible for the selection of the site for the building. He then might ascertain who prepared tho plans and how often they have been altered to overcome initial_ errors and blunders of omission or inadequate provision for necessities. He should then probe to the bottom the question of who is to blame for the erection of an institution of this kind to accommodate, presumably, from COO,to SCO patients, without first ascertaining whether or not there was an adequate water supply available; and he should also go into the question drainage. There are a good many other mat ters in connection with the erection of this hospital which call for investigation and explanation, and if the Minister in charge of the Department goes about the task in tin right way ho will gain a very good insight into the manner in which the country's money has been squander jd under tho regime of the Continuous Ministry. As a matter of fact, th. Mental Hospitals' Department requires a thorough overhaul, ' and after the Government has got through with its investigation of rhe Tokanui bungle, it will probably see tho necessity for the step we now' suggest.

A good many people appear to 'imagine that the High Commissiouevship is a foregone conclusion Jpr the Late Prime Minister, the Hon.T. Mackenzie. According ,to Mit. Massey, this is not the case,'and it is in some respects satisfactory to learn that Mk. Mackenzie has formidable rivals in the field. The position, especially at the present time, is one which calls for the appointment <jf the very best man available. Mr. Mackenzie, aswo have stated on a previous occasion, possesses some of the qualifications for the office, and would no doubt perform the duties very well. _ But ue cannot by any stretch of imagination be said to be a strong man on what we regard as the most important subject requiring attention in London at the moment: that is finance. We are firmly convinced that under the Ward rei/inir. New 7,enlanc! has suffered a ueav.v. loss of prestige in, .Lo.ud.ja.

and that, it will require careful administration here and a strong representative in the metropolis—-oie who will command the respect and confidence of those in financial circles with whom ho is brought into touch—to regain the lost ground. It must be confessed at once that the ideal man for this position is difficult -to discover. Various names have been mentioned, but in mo.-!', eases it is doubtful if their serviced would be available, and equally uncertain whether they possess the exact qualifications required. Sin Wilmaji ItvssKu, unquestionably would fill the office admirably, and if his services-were at the disposal of the country the Government need hardly look further; but it is uti-' likely that he would be willing fo accept the High Commissionership Probably when Parliament me:ts next week Mn. Massey will be in a position to announce the intentions of the Government in the matter.

The popularity of the member for Pahiatua was demonstrated last! evening .by the success of the gathering in his honour at WoodviUo and also by tho remarks of his fallow members. Mr.. Escott is not only popular in his district where he won the scat for the Reform party against heavy odds, but also in Parliament, where ho should prove a useful member, particularly to the farming interests. Tho Prime Minister did not give away any Cabinet secrets in the speech that ho delivered, but 'he made it clear enough that the new Government is dc". ;r----mined to press forward with its progressive proposals as rapidly as passible, and that its policy of land settlement will be in the van. The announcement that tho full intentions of the Government will be placed before Parliament within three weeks may be taken as an evidence of the earnestness and f-n thusiasm with which the new Ministry has'thrown itself into the work it has undertaken, The Government must have been very; industrious to be so well forward with its task. Mn. Hine, who is above all things practical, did well last evening to sci/e the occasion to put in a few words for the back-blocks settlers, and thi Government would be well advised to give heed to the points raised by tho member for Stratford. There has been so much empty talk by past Governments about the nec;ssity for doing something to ameliorate tho lot of those who have gone out into the wilderness to carve out homes for themselves and their families, that it would bo a pleasant change to find a Government in offico ready to prove its sympathy with deeds instead of words.