REFORMATIVE LEGISLATION.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13230, 25 September 1908, Page 6

REFORMATIVE LEGISLATION.

Wo shall probably not bo very far wrong in recognising the proposed additions to the law relating to habitual druukarde. and institutions fcr fallen vomen, as' tbo fruit of suggestions mad<* from time to time ,by 3lr H. W. Bishop, S.M., and Mr Smail, th© city missionary. Tine new proposals witli regard to habitual drunkards give magistrates decidedly greater powers than they possess at present. An habitual drunkard, under till© existing Act. is a person ivho is convicted of drunkenness four timea within nine months; the definition is now extended to include persons twioo convicted of breaches of prohibition OTders. A prohibited-person'may commit a breach of the order by stepping inside, a pulilic-boHse, but probably tho new proposal contemplates' his conviction for drunkenness. Tho \imit of th© duration of an order for th© detention of on habitual drunkard is 'extended from two to throe years. There- is a new and rigorous provision for tho puin'ishment of persons supplying, by any means, intoxicating lirnior to an 'habitual drunkard, and magistrates are." given niiost useful powers regarding tho detention as an habitual drunkard, under certain given conditions, of any person wno commits, while intoxicated, and is convicted of, aiiiy offenco puni,3habLo by imprisonment. The proposals with regard to the committal of fallen women to certain institutions are. much oruthe lines of tho system now in. use, but so far as they give greater powers to magistrates, an! •endow th© institutions concerned with a better recognised status than they have hitherto pce&essed, they are- in the right direction. Members of the House, aided and abetted by tho Government, are in a hurry to bring the session to a close, hut we hopo they will afford tho necessary tdmo to pass three proposals into law.