BAPTISTS SUPPORT DEFECTIVES BILL

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 433, 15 August 1928, Page 16

BAPTISTS SUPPORT DEFECTIVES BILL

“A PROGRESSIVE MOVE” The Auckland Auxiliary of the Baptist Union has decided that a progressive move has been made in bringing forward the much-dis-cussed mental defectives’ measure. Last evening the auxiliary unanimously passed a resolution congratulating the Government bringing forward a Bill with the object of improving present methods of dealing with mental defectives. About 16 Baptist churches of Auckland City and Province were represented. The Rev. A. S. Wilson spoke in favour of the principles of the Bill. Mr. C. W. Boswell regretted that there was no provision for a “borderline” house in the proposed scheme for dealing with mental patients, and an amendment by Mr. W. E. Bush that the motion congratulating the Government should be deferred until next meeting, was defeated. “For decades, people have been waiting for the Government to take a strong move toward improvement,” said Mr. Wilson. “Anyone who has studied the past 60 years will find an appalling increase in lunacy, especially in the Empire.” He urged that, while the meeting should not associate itself with all the details of the Bill, the Government and the Inspector-General, Dr. T. Gray, should be encouraged.

S.P.W.C. APPROVES

The Mental Defectives’ Bill was discussed at the monthly meeting of the executive committee of the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children on Monday afternoon, and the following resolution was carried unanimously, and will be forwarded to the Minister:

“That the New Zealand Society for the Protection of Women and Children approves the general principles of the Mental Defectives’ Bill, and awaits further developments with interest.” The secretary reported that 26 new cases had been dealt with during the month. Of this number, 20 concerned husbands and wives, and six dealt with children. There had been 214 office interviews, and five cases had been sent to the solicitor. The inspector had paid 29 visits, and spent four mornings in court.