THE DEATH PENALTY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 3

THE DEATH PENALTY

Sir.—With N. Beck I agree that the murderer should be imprisoned, on “indeterminate sentence.’’ Here we need the help of science. Lately, a magistrate rightly sent for psychiatric examination a man charged with a murder: for how can a man be justly penalised unless his mental status is known? If this is sound, send him to a prison with a resident clinic (psychologist, psychiatrist, and fieldworker). where his make-up can be studied, his training ordered, and, after years, his condition reported, favourably or otherwise, to the Parole Board. But suppose he is not sound, yet not insane, but “psychopathic.’’ like many murderers, and many of our other prisoners? This is where we badly need that “half-way house,’’ or psychopathic hospital, between prison and mental hospital, as envisaged by your earlier correspondent, “Old Bill.’’ It would protect us from much crime.— Yours, etc., B. E. BAUGHAN. Akaroa, March 7, 1956.

ADVERTISEMENTS CRITICISED Sir, —Recently the press carried on a campaign against the publishing of sex magazines and comics of violence. Now I think it is time they “put their own house in order” and refuse to accept the sexy advertisements that in these last few weeks have appeared daily—my sex depicted in corset and bra. walking with a hat and shopping bag. photographed in sexy attitudes. They are decadent, and in many cases suggestive. One advertisement frankly says “so scandalously . French.” They are certainly scandalous. These advertisements appear under the names of business men of integrity and good moral conduct. Do they realise what they are doing? I write this not from the attitude of a prude; but to draw attention to another form of decadence. Women have already been telephoning me concerning this matter.—Yours, etc., MAY E. FUREY. March 6. 1956.