HORRIBLE ALTERNATIVE.

NZ Truth, Issue 83, 19 January 1907, Page 4

HORRIBLE ALTERNATIVE.

It is very evident the Government hasn't the faintest idea, how to properly administer that Habitual Drunkard's Bill now that it has passed into law. The Samaritan Home, at Christchuroli— that gloomy institution which frowns at the passerby, m a forbidding manner, and oppresses th'e inmates to such an extent that they dfteii wish they were dead—is to he made a place under the, Act where sots may be sent for a 'twelve-month or more, according to the- discretion of the beak. Now, why the Government should select such a place, or the Salv'Army Home, for the reformation of the tajik and the tankers is beyond all understandi'ng-. Year m, year out aren't people who are now sent to both those very undersirable places coming back to the Court again on the same bid charge ? Of course it is understood that better provision will oe made under the Act for the treatment of inebriates, and that they will toe set apart,- and that a doctor will look after them ; but the Government, have gone., the wrong way about the business altogether. They should have built' large establishments of their own, one m each island whither the sot and the sotess could 'be sent for treatment An<cl that treatment should indubitably be conducted on a scientific basis. There should be a- competent staff, an analytical study should be ma/dc of eaich individual' case ; the causes— the predisposing causes— that led the victim to "take too much liquor should be noted ; patients should not be treated as if they were m prison ; vegetable growing and farm work could be indulged m; abundant recreation' provided, including every kind of out and indoor game; a*id v bright lectures 01^ cheerful subjects delivered periodically,' as well as concerts which would serve to banish that, demon • melancholia which so .often besets the drunk, especially, when he ponders on what mi£!iti -have Tjeen. Twelve months- or more of this kind of life would serve to build up -and rejuvenate the wrecks that entered the .institution under magisterial ;' order, and they would he. strengthened m both mind and body when _ they emerged from obscurity to battle with the world again. It ,is absolutely essential that rational treatment of the unfortunates should be -adopted ; that tihey should have good food, and that their sojourn should be marked by cheerfulness instead of unutterable irid'sery. For, the habitual drunkard, having achieved the uncoveted title of diosonmriiae should H cured, not punished. That is the theory upon which present day reformers should work, and by handing these drinky persons over *to the un-tender mercies of the Samaritan Home Trustees and the awful Salvation Army bullies and bleafcers, the Government is gomE right off the wicket, and is only botching the business, arid no material benefit will be derived by anybody, concern^-d exceot the institutions 'mentioned, which will reap the advantage of the labor of the , inmates for nothing. And tbs Samaritan Trustees are suggesting that the Government should also subsidise 'them for being so kind as to take m the man whose 'breath smells of whisky and the woman whose nose has been dyed the color of the artificial rose m her wicked hat. But the treatment outlined above would never be carried out at the Samaritan Home ; they haven't as much horse-sense as that. Also, the place isn't adapted for the purpose, medical supervision will be of the most meajjre .; the department will he conducted on the bread and dripping principle ; cheapness will be the main thing kept m view ; reform there will he none, and the inmates will look upon it as 'worse than incarceration m gaol. Such a wooden-headed scheme as has entered the collective head of the Government—which evidently intends throwing tfre onus of the business on local and irresponsible bodies— will not commend itself tp citizens who want to see, tie "habitual" reformed and made a decent member of society. As regards the Salv'army having charge of the paint-pot brigade with a view to reforming and rehabiliating them— well, God help them. The idea— as compared with every thinker's ideas on the subject— is absolutely ridiculous. So tedious would, life be m either the Samaritan . or Salvarmy dens that the people who went m to be reformed would . soon be heard exclaim ins; : "What a lovely time I*3l have when I pjet out." And it would be even so.