On Friday week an important deputation from the National Association
for Promoting the Welfare of the Feeble-Minded was received by Mr. Asquith, the Lord Chancellor, Mr. Churchill, Mr. Burns, and other Ministers. Mr. Dickinson urged that the treatment of the feeble-minded was a question which ought to be placed in the programme of legislation at the first possible moment. Sir W. Chance emphasised the fact that a large proportion of the population of prisons and workhouses was supplied by the feeble-minded class at great expecse to the country. They should be differently and sensibly treated and their irresponsibility frankly admitted. Nothing but permanent care would be of any avail. Mr. Asquith would not definitely promise legislation, but made a most sympathetic reply. The Government earnestly desired to solve this problem, yet even after the valuable Report of the Royal Commission much practical discussion would be necessary. We cannot go into the very wide question, which was also discussed, of preventing the marriage of feeble- minded persons. But we sincerely hope the Association will keep these matters before the country. When humanity and economy make the same demand, there is a strong case indeed.
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