MENTAL HOSPITALS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2841, 4 August 1916, Page 6

MENTAL HOSPITALS

proposals k® change.

A statement regarding proposals for the extension of the Moutal Hospitals Department was made in the House yesterday by the Minister, the Hon. 6 TV Russell. Mr. Ell had suggested to him tnat no should provide accommodation in more comfortable quarters for persons who were able and willing to pay for it. Mr. Isitt asked' whether he intended to provide an institution into which dipsomaniacs could be received. Mr. Russell said that plans had been prepared for the erection at Sunnyside of an institution in which persons would bo able to stay who could afford to pay for comforts such as they might enjoy in their own home. Ho. wished to inform the House that if the country was to do its duty by tho unfortunate people who were confined in mental hospitals, a scheme of classification would have to be adopted and carried out, and this could not be done without nwney. He proposed to submit to Cabinet shortly a proposal for an institution near Christchurch iii which persons sulfanng from senilo dehientia could be accommodated. These people would be taken out of all the ■ other mental hospitals, arid ■ this would enable a beginning to be made with a scheme of classification. The question of providing accommodation for dipsomaniacs had not been He was not sure how far such persons could be considered to be mentally diseased, and as to whether they could ptoperly be put under restraint.. Ho promised to give the matter consideration. He promised, also to consider the advisability of establishing a .suitable institution in tho North Island for imbecile children.