CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17293, 3 November 1921, Page 7

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

. ♦ ABOLITION BILL REJECTED BY . HOUSE. (abridged PRESS association report.) WELLINGTON, November 2. Jn the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr J. McCombs moved the second reading of the Abolition of Capital Punishment BUI. He argued thai capital punishment had already been abolished in Holland, Finland,, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Portugal, Houmanui, and in each of these oountries murders had decreased. Mr Wilford opposed thw'Bill, because as a result of long experience' at the criminal Bar, he ,wa» satisfied that capital punishment was a deterrent against serious crime. The Hon. E. P. Lee said Snoh punishments were very neoessary to the safety of society. Every care was taken tq, protect accused persons who were innocent, after sentence was passed. These matters wore carefully considered by Cabinet; indeed, no matter waa so carefully considered: Mr Holland contended that the abolition of capital punishment would result in fewer murders. Mr Edie said the Minister of Justice should prohibit the publication of details of executions, which, in some cages, were revolting. Beyond the fact , that the death sentence had been carried out, nothing should be Published. , . Mr Lysnar said he would vote against the Bill, because he could not agree that the abolition of capital punishment would lessen crime. Mr Potter said he would regret to see the abolition of capital punishment. The .greatest deterrent against murder was the knowledge that a murderer's life would be taken for tho life hd himself had taken. Messrs Atmore and McCaMum opposed the Bill,, and, after the mover had replied, a division was called for, when the Bill was rejected by 62 votes to 7 (Messrs Bart ram, Holland, Howard, McCombs, Savage, Statham, and Sullivan). • •