POLITICAL NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13861, 12 October 1910, Page 7

POLITICAL NOTES.

(srEciA-. to "-rrtE tress.") WELLINGTON, October 11. PRESERVING BIRD LIFE.

Some interesting suggestions for fostering regard for New Zealand native birds were made in the House to-day while the amendments in the Animals Protection Act Amendment Bill were uuder consideration. Mr R. Heaton Rhodes suggested that an entirely newBill should be drawn up on tho lineadopted in America. In that country qll birds and animals were protected except those specifically exempted. We I had proceeded on different lines, and bad enacted which birds should be protected. He thought the public generally did riot know which birds were protected. Mr EH urged that certain of our scenic reserves should be made sanctuaries for birds, so that our birds, as well as our fauna, might be protected to encourage a healthy sentiment. Mr Jamas Allen said that the time had come to fester a national life, and an important element in that should be love of our native birds and flowers. The education imparted to our children should inculcate and foster this sentiment. Tho Hon. D. Buddo, in reply, said that in South Australia the Deviartnicnt issued a circular containing the names of all protected birds, and this was displayed on the walls of all schools. He thought vre might well follow that scheme.

ANOMALIES IN SENTENCES. A plea for further reform in our criminal procedure was mp.de by -dr Laurenson to-day. Mr Lau?enson advocated a Court of Criminal Appeal, and also urged that in addition to deciding points of fact, juries should decide sentences to be passed. He did not wish V> reflect on our Judges or Magistrates, for whom he had a high regard, but ho could not help thinking that some anomalies occurred. He recalled the case of a man who shot another man dead being sentenced to six months* imprisonment. Mr Wilford: You would say he got six month*, too reach if you knew all the facts. Mr Lanrenson said' that might be. He contrasted this sex?r tenco, however, with that of pew-l servitude for life passed on a man who, i under great provocation, had wounded, another man. The man who was injured was now in gaol for an offence. Mr Laurensou also referred to- the sentence of twelve years' penal servitude and a flogging passed on a man, now in Lvttelton Gaol, for ait offence committed while under the influence of liquor.