MENTALLY AFFECTED SOLDIERS
SEPARATE INSTITUTIONS ADVOCATED..
Considerable discussion took place at the special conferonco of (lie N./i.R.S.A. yesterday on the question of the segregation of roturned'soldiers .who • aro mentally affected. The matterwas introduced in tho report of Hie Medical Committee, which recommended that no further action be taken on tho following remits:—' "That the N./j.R.S.A. affirm the principle that tho Government should establish homes in both North and South. Islands for tho treatment of returned soldiers suffering from mental troublo."— (Auckland). ' "That the Government bo urged to set npart separate institutions for the nous* ing and treatment of returned soldier iiipjitiij patients."—(Gisborne.) : 1 It was decided to deall with the matters peparated from the medical report, aiid Mr'. N. A. Ching (Kawakawa) _ nioVed the adoption of the Auckland remit. Tills was seconded by Mr,.D, M. C. M'Burncy (To Awamntu). In speaking to the motion, Mr. E. F. Andrews (Auckland) said that he visited tho Avondale Mental Hospital, whore.he fennd that returned soloicr mental cases wero accommodated together with criminal lunatics. lie recalled a shocking tragedy that occurred in the King Country,- and- stated that ''the perpetrate of tho crime was living in the cell next ,door to a. man who had become mentally deranged as a result of war service.'. Ha contended that expenso should not- be taken into consideration where the; welfare of returned soldier ineutal cases was at'stake. If it were not feasible to create distinct homes for such wises, then the Government should bo urged, to establish separate institutions in connection with the present mental hospitals, lie admitted that there had been a largo number of recoveries, but still there were cases which would never recover, j Ho did not wish to cast any reflections on the ■ authorities of tho Avondale Mental Hospital—the-soldier patients there.were well treated. The mental hospitals'- today were over-crowded, und therefore, he submitted, it was quite impossible to .give the men the treatment they- required. 1 * The general secretary (Mr. D. Seymour) stated that he had interviewed Dr. Hay on this paTticurnr question, and he suggested that before conference came to any decision on the matter it should hear his views. Dr. Hay' was very 6yriipai thetic on the whole question, but' ;he realised the difficulties in connection .with the matter. ' Mr. T. Long (Auckland) sunported-Mr. Andrews, and also Mr. W. Pollock (Auckland), who, while admitting the difficulties referred to. by Dr. Hay, still nw'ntinned that'separate institutions were desirable. . ..... Although it-was moved that the matter be held over pending an interview with -Dr. Hay, conference carried the remits.
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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 6
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425MENTALLY AFFECTED SOLDIERS Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 6
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