The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1913. GOD'S FOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 235, 22 February 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1913. GOD'S FOOL.

Ihe Lelgians. in a |j reverence and in no spirit of reproach, in their quaint country side vernacular, are in the habit of referring to t li o-e who are mentally deficient as "God's fools." Then- is nothing objectionable in the expression, indicating, as it does, that the harmless, half-witted people of the world are at' llicted through some unforeseen decree of the Almighty's wisdom, and not. as rule, through any delibeiate fault of 'heir own. lint they should be essentially "man's care"; and the sad case of the unfortunate Auckland girl. Florence Murks, reported fully in our columns yesterday, is a striking illustration of the necessity for our vaunted civilisation making better provision for the care of those unfortunates who are horn I into the world lacking the full mental equipment, yet not so devoid of intellect as to make them of any direct danger to tin' community. This poor girl, apparently tor no ascertainable reason whatever. poisoned herself by taking Ivsol on the steps of the Salvation Army 1 louse Xo reason has been assigned for tliij deliberate act, and we can only assume that it was some weary, wandering ohse-sion of a weakened intellect. Evidence showed that the girl was of good character, a good worker, and had a good

name for industry and behaviour wherever she had been employed. She was, in fact, a kindly, well-behaved and industrious girl, who was simply one of '"God's fools." She may not have taken her life in vain, after all, for her case provoked a somewhat illuminative discussion upon tlie whole subject between the coroner and the dot-tor who conducted the post iiiurlem examination. Dr. Kinder stated that the girl was evidently one of the weak-minded type—a type for the handling of which there

were no arrangements at the present time. All that one could say was that they were weak-minded. In Chrislehureh a movement bad been started for the establishment of a home, under Government control, where such girls could be put under strict discipline and kept regularly at work. The matter was a very serious one. and the doctor thought the jury should recommend the Government to take such steps as would make if, passible to place such cases under proper control. The coroner remarked that, in his opinion, the lunatic asylums would not have half the number of patients if there were homes for imbeciles as there Were in England. At the present time there was nothing recognised between insanity and a normal mental condition. There should be a reformative institution for the eare of those who, while not fit ,to be at large, were not proper subjects for an asylum. There can be no two opinions on the necessity for some ! such action being taken. We have reformative homes, for our habitual drunkards and for those unfortunate Magdalenes who have fallen lower still, and these are a recognition of the nesessity for providing for purely personal lapses from virtue. But if there is pity for these sinners, surely there ought to be even more for those who, through mental affliction, are not fitted to fight the battles of life in the same spirit as their more fortunate fellows, The cases arc admittedly dillicult to deal with, owing to their varied character, and, as the matron of the Army Home deposed, after they had been put on (heir feet some of them would work for twelve month 5, some six months, some three, and others would only work a few weeks before they went oft" again. If these girls were under proper control and received proper instruction and treatment, a great deal could.be done for them. We want that half-way house, and our social administration will not be complete until we secure it. The jury, in . this, particular ease, added a trenchant rider, drawing the attention of the Government to the importance of establishing an institution where imbecile girls could be brought under proper and kindly control. We hope that the good seed sown has not fallen upon stony ground.