MENTAL DEFECTIVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 499, 31 October 1928, Page 10

MENTAL DEFECTIVES

REFORM’S EFFORT TO SOLVE PROBLEM (Special to THE SUN) HAMILTON, Tuesday. The Hon. J. A. Young, Reform candidate for Hamilton, spent some time at Te Rapa dealing with the subject of mental defectives. Condemning the large buildings and institutions devoted to the housing of mental defectives in the past, Mr. Young said these were now being replaced by small homes in various centres of the country. In the homes, which had accommodation for from 10 to 40 patients, the efforts of the medical staff were directed to effecting cures by use of fresh air, music and games. Neuropathic clinics had been established in the four main centres, and these were doing good work. It had been found that patients came voluntarily for treatment, and a number of complete cures had been effected. Referring to three-year Parliaments, Mr. Young said in such a short period of office a Government was not able to develop its policy properly. Elections recurring every three years, with their consequent disorganisation of industry and great expense, were not beneficial to the country. He advocated at least a four-years’ term. Mr. Young denied the charges of inhumane methods of meeting social problems made against the Government. He said during its term of office the Reform Government had done a great deal to relieve the position of the poor.