NEW WOMEN'S CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 188, 10 August 1936, Page 10

NEW WOMEN'S CLUB.

TALK ON PRISON REFORM.

The New Women's Club liad a large attendance at their club rooms rccentlv to hear Mrs. Ruby Watson speak on "Prison Reform." Mrs. Darlow, president, presided. Despite assertions to the contrary, Mrs. Watsdiii pave it as her opinion that New Zealand lagged far behind other countries in prison reform. Much could still bo done without unduly lightening tlie punishment intended. Health was not sufficiently studied, said tlie speaker, in that fruit and fat were practically omitted from the prison diet. More could be achieved toward lessening crime, she said, by endeavouring to train men whilst in prison with wholesome occupation. Too much solitude was of no real value -whatever, as the average man planned all his worst deeds in solitude. Though something was accomplished along these lines, said Mrs. Watson, her feeling was that much more could be done. Mrs. Watson was strongly of the opinion that no man should be re-sentenced, as was now the case, without an open re-trial. For the decision to rest with a few was contrary to the idea of British justice.