DEATH PENALTY

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25738, 25 February 1949, Page 5

DEATH PENALTY

Sir, —Those who desire to kill murderers for God’s sake or to keep them for the same reason might both be satisfied if murderers were granted the use of an island to themselves, complete freedom within its confines, and a supply of everything necessary to commit murder. Such an experience would promote rapid and sincere repentance among the survivors and those that didn’t repent would be economically executed without a hangman’s rope or fee. The best deterrent for the erring is to allow them to go their own way at their own risk and expense.—Yours, etc., H. J. BUTTLE. Darfield, February 22, 1949.

Sir,—We are all murderers. If we do not kill our brother man in peace or war, we kill our weaker kinsmen, the animals. If we do not kill the animals, we kill our still weaker kinsmen, the plants. We are all guilty of murder, and we all need forgiveness. There are two good guides to social action: the golden rule of “Do as you would be done by,” and the universal rule of “Do only what all can do.” Apply the first. Would I like to be killed for my own murdering? Certainly not. Then I must not kill murderers, but forgive them. To grant forgiveness is the only way to get forgiveness. Apply the second guide. If I kill the murderer, can he kill me? Certainly not. Therefore I must not kill him. But if I forgive him can he forgive me? Of course. Ethically that ends the death penalty.—Yours, etc., N. M. BELL. February 22, 1949. Sir, —The Rev. P. H. Pritchett fails to take into account the main psychic ft cts, relating to crimes of destruction, such as murder, and other, outrages. They are due chiefly to obsessing spirits, who attach themselves and control those who give way to evil and destructive thoughts. Capital punishment does not solve the problem. Obsession and insanity are closely allied, and a knowledge of the laws of psychic phenomena gives one a greater understanding of the whole subject.—Yours, etc., E. M. LOVELL-SMITH. February 23, 1949. * Sir, —The fact that women engaged in social activities are in favour of capital punishment is lamentable. Until a person has made the conquest of animal impulses all efforts directed towards the uplift of those still struggling with them are barren of results. —Yours, etc., M. G. DAVIES. February 23, 1949. Sir,—ln answer to Margaret Roper, health statistics reveal that mothers fail to provide adequate diets even when supported by knowledge; hence the need for balanced meals in schools. Every present and anticipated provocation should be dramatised daily with its logical response, until violence is eliminated.—Yours, etc., JOHN BURBRIDGE. February 23, 1949.