An investigation of the public provision made for feebleminded children in the Dominion of New Zealand

Abstract

A thesis, dealing with a subject such as this, naturally demands authoritative figures as confirmation of statements made; but unfortunately State Records, pertinent to the question of the number of, and the provision for, feebleminded children in New Zealand, are lamentably deficient and in many cases non-existent. Had the paucity of these official records been realized at the commencement of this thesis the writer would have been deterred from attempting it: but a beginning having been made, it was decided to proceed. Therefore, in many instances, the writer has had to depend upon evidence supplied personally by departmental officers - such evidence not being recorded authoritatively in any State Records. Hence, while accrediting such information as approximately correct one is not prepared to vouch for its absolute accuracy.