New Zealand Cases.
But it is not necessary to go to the records of older countries to find examples of this kind. Unfortunately, this young Dominion, whose history as a European settlement is comprised within the lifetime of its oldest inhabitants, is already reproducing some of the saddest problems of civilization which perplex the people of the Old World. We started with every advantage in the shape of a favourable climate and rich natural resources. The original settlers were, for the most part, men and women of sturdy determination, enterprising spirit, and strong physique.
In the "seventies" a vigorous public-works policy was inaugurated, and great efforts were made to introduce fresh population, the result being that undoubtedly a great impetus was given to settlement, and the country was fairly started on the road to prosperity. But, unfortunately, it is now only too apparent that insufficient care was taken in the selection of immigrants.
The following extract from a statement made to the Committee by Sir Robert Stout, Chief Justice, and President of the Prisons Board, illustrates this point: "The Prisons Board has sometimes brought before it several persons of one family who have offended against our laws, and in the experience I had in 1884 and 1885, when looking after our Hospitals and Charitable Aid Department in the General Government, I found that people obtaining charitable aid had done so for three generations; that is, grandfather, father or mother, and children were all obtaining aid from the Government because they were unable to maintain themselves. Some of the cases were traced, and it was found that the grandfathers, or grandparents, had been originally in poorhouses in the Homeland, and although they came to New Zealand and had greater opportunities than they had in their Homeland, yet their inability to provide for themselves continued."
How serious the problem has already become will be seen from the following illustrative cases selected from a large number given in the evidence:—
| Father: Weak-minded. | Mother: Weak-minded. | |||||||
| Female, born 1906. | Female, born 1907. | Female, born 1908. | Female, born 1909. | Female, born 1911. | Male, born 1912. | Male, born 1913. | Male, born 1915. | Female, born 1916. |
All these children except one are feeble-minded, and when committed to the care of the State were found living under deplorable conditions. Most of these children will require lifelong control in an institution. The total cost of maintaining this family will be approximately £9,500. These children are cousins of another family under State control. There are four children, two of whom are simple-minded. The mother is feeble-minded, and the father died in a mental hospital. In this case the mothers of the children are sisters.
Case No. 2.
| Father: Feeble-minded. | Mother: Feeble-minded and drunkard. | |||||||||
| Female, illegitimate, born 1902. | Male, born 1904. | Male, born 1906. | Male, born 1907. | Male, born 1910. | Male, born 1912. | Female, born 1914. | Female, born 1916. | Male, born 1918. | Male, born 1920. | Male, born 1923. |