INQUIRY DEMANDED.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 6

INQUIRY DEMANDED.

GRIEVANCES OF INMATES OP INEBRIATES' HOME. (To tho Editor.) Sir,—As we ourselves labour under most unjust treatment, and as there is a waatoful expenditure of public money in tho upkeep of this home without any adequate results, and, as these conditions are brought about by the maladministration of tho Act both by the Magistrate's Courts and by the Justice Department (more particularly tho latter), wo appeal to j'ou either to send a competent reporter hero for the purpose of investigating our grievances, or to urge a public inquiry into the homo and the sentences.You will notice that under Section IS of the Reformatory Institutions Act, 1909, very great powers aro placed in the hands of the Minister for Justice. In fact, be can really do whatever he pleases. Tho chief means of procuring release is by political influence and not by the fitness of tho man himself. We have petitioned Parliament, and overy member of Parliament has been written to and arguments in favour of the petition can bo seen at the House of Representatives. We appeal to you to look into the matter at once, as we are satisfied that it is only through tho press and public op'nion that • tho red tape of officialdom can he set aside and justice administered. Wo understand that the Salvation Army aathorities aro in sympathy with ourselves, r.nd against lengthy periods of detention, bix months is the time agreed upon, Vγ all Sarties as sufficient to rebuild niost.intn. however, in. our petition we ask only that men should go out if physicilly fit in sis months, the fitness to be judged by tie visiting doctor.-We J^rtc^

Wβ would bo obliged if you omit names, but state in print the number of signatures attached. ~,.,, ~ Roto Roa Island, Auckland, Aug..3l. [There aio between 50 and 60 signatures to the above letter, and' the following note: "And several more who have not had an opportunity of signing. The question raised is dealt with editorially.]