16 JULY 1910, Page 16

THE FREE MILLING OF INFANTS BY THEIR MOTHERS.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR." J SIR, —I have read the letter of " Rescue Worker " on infanti- cide in your issue of the 9th inst. with much sympathy and interest. I agree with every word she says ; but I would like to point out that the present state of affairs can be remedied by the simple means of passing a law to carry out the Report of the Royal Commission on the Feeble-Minded. These young mothers are mostly morally defective, and should he placed at an early age out of harm's way. In examining children in elementary schools who are mentally defective, one finds a family history in most cases of previous mental defect, with its accompaniments of intemperance, immorality, and illegitimacy. Such a measure of social reform would be uncontroversial, and it is a thousand pities that the Govern- ment of the day has not the foresight and statesmanlike instinct to make such a law.—I am, Sir, &c.,

MEDICAL INSPECTOR.

[We wish it were possible to have a special Session every year for legislation which everybody is agreed about, which accordingly gives no opportunity for a party fight, and is therefore of no interest to the ordinary party politician. Whips. politicians on the make, and all Front Bench men on both aides might be excused from attending.— ED. Spectator.]