"THE FEEBLE-MINDED."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1983, 13 February 1914, Page 7

"THE FEEBLE-MINDED."

LIBEL ON AUSTRALIA. <

MR CARMICHAEL IN DEFENCE

By TeleEraDß-Prosß Assoclatiofi-OoErriiht

(Rec. February IS, 0.55 a.m.)

Sydney, February 12. Mr. Carmichaet (Minister of Public Instruction) is indignant at the cabled report of the Auckland Modical Congress in regard to the feeble-minded. He said: "I don't remember ever roading a worse libel on Australia than tho statement that four per centum of Aus» tralian children are definitely, feebleminded, and twelve- per centum So mentally _ dull that they require special training. I cannot speak for the- other States, but so far as New Smith Wales is concerned, I am convinced that the congress had absolutely no data in making such ,a sweeping condemnation." After quoting school statistics to disprovo the- statements, he added: "We are grappling in.earnest with a difficult problem by providing education for mentally-deficient children, but I do not think, in the interests of Australia, thati it will do any good to aggravate ouii deficiencies. There are plenty of people ready to cry 'etmlring fish' in regard to our resources attd Industrial conditions, but in Heaven's name let them restrain themselves when it comes to branding Australia as the land β-f the feeble-minded."