The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1925.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 May 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1925.

I 11 F. i PACKDY (.iF I l!F I' N FIT. A vunv iaiporiam report In s hi-eii pulni-lie I by an able anil -. unovt roinHilt tee sj eel.illy a| poiutej t i deal a iHi the tragedy ~t ilie unlit in New Zealand. 'I lie scope of llie report was in regard to the leelde-minded and sexual degenerates. It vv us not a pleasant task. Inn statistics ami the annual reports ol part ieuTar departments. as well as i lie rev elations in the Courts and the hospitals, allow that it- »ii, a necessary task. The committee had the opportunity of visiting the main cent res and calling the evidence of those who had been able to study the problem themselves, and who from a high sense of public duty, gale valuable testimony. The report traverses the ground covered, and oilers a number of recommendations which in time must he the basis of special legislation m this country. No Parliament can all’ofd to ignore the (piestion, which is now set- Indore them in silrli plain terms and with inch friii,lt advi-e that the matter must, he taken up, and even if ignored must be declined for cogent reasv n The root of the trouble seems to go hack to the seventies when immigrants well or ill were allowed to come into the tinriitry all too freely. It is eel out that the court records disclose tluit degeneracy in one shape or another is increasing. The mental hospitals and gaols hear witness on that that score. Incarceration is no cure. The lash is no cure. So long as these poor creatures are allowed to mate and reproduce their own species without lot or hindrance, so long will the problem iJ'ty solution. Ills’ weaknesses it not eradicated in youth must he prevented from seeding later, as a paper plainly puts it. There is no other effective way of coping with the evil to the race. Similarly, the State must sooner or later take the stops required to stop the free and iiiitra.mmelled multiplication of the witless and the pervert. The committee offers a number of suggestions to that end. However popular opinion may receive those suggestions now. it is inevitable that the time will come when, in defence of the mental, moral and physical standard of this peo| le of ours, sentiment will have to bo pushed on one side, and this malady tackled with the gloves off. Purity

»;,r nice, especially in a young country such n.s X'*w Zealand, is too precious possession to lie emlauttered hv an attitude which insi-te l lit* t reason and exjierience shall siihordinate themselves to mere sentimental conisiderations. The investigating committee. turning its hack oil sueli squeawishnesis. has framed a policy so comprehensive and eoiistriletive that it. demands the keenest attcnth u the authorities can give it. And if the authorities prove negligent, it "ill he l’arliament’s responsibility to apply the spur. In concluding an altogether admirable report, the cominitteo says: “The work has I eon ot a painful and depression eharaeter. AVe need not refer to the depth ot human degradation, a.ttd the revolting pathological details which had to he explored in dealing with the second order of reference, beyond saying that the witnesses who faced the unpleasant task of giving evidence deserve the thanks of the public for discharging what thev evidently felt to lie a public duty. Feeble-minded : The most saddening experience was the sight of so many children deprived of their full share of the light of reason, often maimed and stunted in body as "'ell as in intellect. The sight was made sadder still by the reflection that unless prompt and effective action is taken, the multiplication of these degenerates will increase, and the ra e will steadily deteriorate. New Zealand is a young country already exhibiting some of the weaknesses of much older nations, hut it is now at the stage where, if its people are

wise, they nuiy escape the worst evils of the Old World. It has rightly l-een decided that this should he not i nly a ‘while man's country.' but as completely British a« possible. We ought to make every effort to keep the stock sturdy and strong is well as racially pure. . In there beautiful and richly dov.ered islands v.e have a nolile heritage to he in keeling. and to ensure the devoid).mnt of their blessing' the inhabitants should he of the highest type obtainable by human effort. This is the lesson which has been impressed upon tho minds of the committee during its investigations, and thev have been

sustained in their saddening experience by the hope that this lesson will he taken to heart hv both the Parliament and th<' people of the Dominion.”