MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1904. TREATMENT OF INEBRIATES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7928, 8 October 1904, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1904. TREATMENT OF INEBRIATES.

That the .Waitati Home for the treatment of inebriates has not proved a success is probably more the fault of the inmates than the Government who established the institution. It has been pointed out by the leader of the Opposition that the situation of the Home is unfavourable, also that it should be removed to one of the islands in Auckland harbour, where the inmates would be free from the temptations and other drawbacks of Waitati. The Minister in charge, of the Home, during a speech in the. House this week, expressed himself in favour of Mr Massey's suggestion. He referred, however, to the great cost pf any method of dealing with inebriates, which was partly due to. the fact/that a cure could not be effected excepting in those cases in which the patients themselves were desirous of reformation, stating that it was a question for consideration whether the work should be continued and the public^ saddled with the expense of treating people who were the. victims. of their,own vices and their own faults. As matters in connection with the Waitati Hoihe are being given' much prominence, the public will be interested to learn how it is proposed in the future to deal with this unfortunate class in Victoria. A bill has been introduced into the Legislative Assembly in Victoria to provide for the care, control.and;treatment of inebriates. ' This bill, when passed/will take the place of the Inebriates Act of 1890. The bill proposes to give extended powers for the committal of an inebriate for a period of 28 days in his own residence, in the residence of a friend, or in any public or private hospital, and for a period of twelve months in a Government institution.' Provision is made for a renewal of .these committal orders if necessary. Under the, old* Act only an inebriate himself, or his near relatives, could applyfor. a committal order, but the bill extends tKese.pow.rs to officers of the police, while '-justices'', are to" be: given power to commit to* a Government institution drunkards who haVe been thrice convicted within twelve months— provided the convictions extend over at least six months. Judges or magistrates are empowered to make orders for the expense of the rnaintenanee'of inebriates to be paid out of-any property they "may possess; and' orders may also be made for the care arid management of their property. A penalty not exceeding j_lo is fixed in .the event of a case -being proved against a person of supplying __i inebriate with intoxicants or drugs. The measure has been framed on the lines of

a bill passed two; or -three years: ago in New-South-^-ale^ hi Victoria itwill; mean the estabHslimehtjpf a Governmentinstitution./ Instead of the treatment of inebruttes; being limited, as at present, to those who can pay "for it, the Government hope to bo able ."to provide' for people in the lower' rank of life -^people who, as drunkards, are in and out of gaol continually.without any good' resulting from the punishment inflicted, The bill follows;, oh the lines ot up-to-date European; methods of.- treatment. Ah important provision is the extended power, of recommittal hi cases where further confinement is necessary to effect a cure. If the Victorian .Government establish an institution ot this kind it is. to be hoped it will bei worked; on "more successful lines thaivthe one New ; Zea-

land possseses,