A HOME FOR THE WEAK.
During the hearing of a charge of vagrancy against the unfortunate man James Brisco, Mr Hawkins had another* tilt at the Government and Legislature of the country. It was disgraceful, he said, that no suitable place was in existence for the maintenance of people of such weak intellect. We heartily concur in the remark. It is more than disgraceful; 'tis cruel and barbarous. James Brisco is no more deserving of being sent to gaol than a person of unsound mind, or a person who is suffering from sunstroke.
He is not a criminal, and should not be treated as one. He is possessed of a weak intellect. It is not his own fault, nor his own doing. Yet he is sent to gaol as a malefactor J as if he had broken the laws of his country, to mix with criminals and, being of weak intellect, becomes contaminated by his surroundings. Surely it is time that New Zealand statesmen who are constantly dinging it into our ears that 'tis the poor, the needy, and the weak that they desire to assist and elevate - had taken this matter in hand and provided a home for such unfortunates. The Eed Indian of North America treats such cases with the utmost kindness and consideration. The Government of New Zealand send such sorely afflicted persons to the felon's cell. The Eed Indian is a savage, the New Zealander " a civilised and enlightened Christian." In this matter we do not require to go to North America to find the savage,
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Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 February 1901, Page 2
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260A HOME FOR THE WEAK. Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 February 1901, Page 2
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