The Church and Social Reform: Discussion at Birmingham Diocesan Conference: Need of Legislation: In the absence of the Bishop of Southwark, the discussion which took place at the Birmingham Diocesan Conference yesterday afternoon on Poor Law Reform was opened by the Bishop of Birmingham … Mrs. Hume Pinsent then read a paper on the subject of “The Feeble-Minded.” Mrs. Pinsent urged the need of immediate legislation to save large numbers of their fellow-creatures from otherwise certain degradation and to prevent the present generation of feeble-minded boys and girls from becoming criminals, inebriates, and paupers, and in order to secure that no further public money was wasted. Mrs. Pinsent impressed upon the members of the conference the danger that underlay the system of caring for defectives until they reached the age of sixteen and then allowing them absolute freedom … … (discussion on juvenile labour) … … During the discussion which followed the bishop expressed agreement with the contention of Mrs. Hume Pinsent that legislation for the life-care of the feeble-minded was necessary. …
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Referenced
GRO0245 Devonport: Ellen Frances Parker: 1866 – 1949