Treatment of Degenerates.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 February 1923, Page 3

Treatment of Degenerates.

an LMPORTANT RE BURT. | US TKIUJOUAI’II —,'KB I*«K»H AhI.UU VI IO.X • CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 28. Surgical tivalnieiit for ihe elimination ot mental degenerates was one oi the i eeouimendiitieiis pimvl eelore the 11cspiled Board to-day by Ute hospital committee. Ln a special report the eomuiiltcc recommended the Board to ask {bivei iimcu L to bring down legislation covering the following rccommcndiit.ions: (1; making provision in the 'marriage laws that prior 10 the issue of marriage license, toe contracting parties must sign a statutory declaration *rluit they are free fr.un transmissible disease: fJ) as to whether a tribunal uf experts should not be -et up to i u-ider each ease beiore ai- barge L iin a iiK-utal hospital, la determine win ther prior to the return to family life, steps should he taken by stenli-

s:ilion, or other means lo prevent i - produeti' n. The Board was further recommended to ask Government to open homes for young girls ot an mu oiitrollnhlc type and also to establish homes for feeble-minded adults.

The Committee fully endorsed the recommendations made by the Raisons Board in 1921. in favour of an amendment of the Crimes Act under which such offenders could be dealt with scientifically. (1) In-fore sentence is pronounced by 1 iirnishiiig expert medical or surgical evidence: (2) by sanctioning an indeterminate sentence:

(3) l,\- segregating persons so sentenced and .subjecting them under proper safeguards to any medical or surgical treatment which may he deemed necessary or expedient either for their own good or in the public interest. The evidence was summarised, showing that leading medical men and social workers favoured the proposals of the Committee. The report was adopted.