THE LASH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 146, 21 June 1901, Page 2

THE LASH.

(To the Editor.)

Si r> _Mr Fernleigh in his letter to the "Star" on the 19th appeals for the "cause that lacks assistance" in the case of the miscreant who is at present undergoing a just punishment for a foul offence. What about the *cause" of the poor victim? What about the public? Have they no "cause that needs assistance" and protection from such ruffians? I thought that hysterical emotionalism was almost confined to France and the United States; but you have had several such, letters as Mr Fernleigh's since this case was tried. Why should the scoundrel not get the lash? It is the only thing that appeals to men like him. The lash stamped out garrotting in London some years ago, and stamped it out in a month when all other forms of punishment failed. Would the writers of these sympathetic letters hold the same opinions if their, own wives or daughters had been outraged? Let them bring the matter home to themselves and judge it from a personal standpoint. Crimes against women and children are^reatly on the increase in New Zealand, and we must protect ourselves. Personally I would be in favour of hanging such criminals, as they do in New South Wales, and trettin^ rid of them once and for all. Letters such as Mr Fernleigh's appeal 'to the emotions and obscure tb,e judgment of many unthinking kindhearted people, and do harm likewise by appearing to reflect public opinion. -I am, etc. A. C. SMYTH.

(To the Editor.)

g; rj —Messrs Earl and Co. are greatly exercised at the idea of human fiends getting their backs scratched. It is a small matter to them apparently that little girls should be ruined for life, or that women should be brutally forced to submit to their vile lusts. Some of them would evidently like such offenders to be brought in as probationers, but how would they like their own little girls or sisters to be treated in that way?

I recollect about fifty years ago when garroting was rampant in London people were frightened to go out at" night. All deterrents failed until the cat was introduced, when at the first howl of the criminal, garrotting ceased as if by magic, as however reckless and indifferent they were to other people's bodily feelings, they were found to be keenly sensitive of their own. Hence the laudable result.

The only effectual cure for that vice is to carry out the Biblical advice:. "If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out," so as a thorough preventive give the offender the choice of submitting to the lash, or else rendered physically incapable of repeating the offence,—Yours, etc., G. '