The Work of Local Voluntary Associations and Possible Future Developments

almost directly after the Mental Deficiency Act came into force in 1914. One of their main objects was the co-ordination of all public and voluntary work undertaken for defectives in their own homes, throughout the area, covered by a Local Authority under the Mental Deficiency Act, i.e., a County or County Borough. The Constitution of these Associations varies according to Local conditions but they all have certain features in common. They consist of Representatives of Public Bodies in the area, dealing with defectives, such as the County or County Borough Mental Deficiency Committee, the Education Committees, and Boards of Guardians; of Voluntary Homes and Institutions for Defectives; and of any Societies and Organisations which come into touch, either directly or indirectly, with defectives. They are therefore most representative in character, and in this way are able to be in touch with all defectives who are living in the district. These Associations, at the request of their Local Statutory Authority, undertake all or some of the following duties for it, under the Mental Deficiency Act. Under Section 30 of this Act, it is the duty of the Local Authority to ascertain