final discharge of all
sexual offenders or feeble-minded offenders coming under its
jurisdiction.

(5.) The Committee feel that the information at present
available in regard to sterilization or desexualization of
sexual offenders is quite inadequate to permit of a sound and
final judgment as to the value of the procedure. They
recommend, therefore, that the whole question be remitted for
careful investigation to the Eugenic Board which it is
proposed should be set up.

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

It goes without saying that the work of the Committee in pursuing their
investigations has been of a very painful and depressing character. We
need not refer to the depth of human degradation and the revolting
pathological details which had to be explored in dealing with the second
order of reference, beyond saying that the witnesses who faced the
unpleasant task of giving evidence deserve the thanks of the public for
discharging what they evidently felt to be a public duty. In the inquiry
into the problem of the feeble-minded the most saddening experience of
the Committee was the sight of so many children deprived of their full
share of the light of reason, often maimed and stunted in body as well
as in intellect. The sight was made sadder still by the reflection that
unless prompt and effective action is taken the multiplication of these
degenerates will increase and the race will steadily deteriorate.

Professor William MacDougall, the noted psychologist of Harvard
University, speaking at Toronto recently in reference to the disregard
of eugenic methods in America in maintaining and improving the national
stock, said: "As I watch the American people speeding daily with
invincible optimism down the path that leads to destruction I seem to be
watching one of the greatest tragedies of history."

New Zealand is a young country already exhibiting some of the weaknesses
of much older nations, but it is now at the stage where, if its people
are wise, they may escape the worst evils of the Old World. It has
rightly been decided that this should be not only a "white man's
country," but as completely British as possible. We ought to make every
effort to keep the stock sturdy and strong, as well as racially pure.
The pioneers were for the most part an ideal stock for a new offshoot of
the Mother-country. The Great War revealed that from their loins have
sprung some of the finest men the world has