Flogging as a Punishment

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 124, 19 February 1935, Page 11

Flogging as a Punishment

Sir, —The question as to whether flogging is a salutary punishment in sexual cases has come rather prominently before the public during the past few weeks, and the statement made by the Chief Justice in sentencing a prisoner here last week deserves the earnest consideration of all responsible citizens. Sir Michael Myers pointed out that the imposition of corporal punishment was a matter for the Legislature to determine, and. that it was no doubt guided in its decision by public opinion. We are indebted to the Chief Justice for directing our attention to this fact, and we should take immediate steps to indicate our wishes very clearly to our law-makers on this point. We pride ourselves that iu New Zealand we have led the way in some matters dealing with social reform, and it is high time we decided whether we are to be any longer content to lag behind the older world in this important reform. Most countries in Europe have long since recognised that flogging a prisoner simply has a brutalising and degrading effect upon him, and they have abolished this out-of-date form of punishment. We are told by Hie authorities that Hogging acts as a deterrent to other likeminded individuals in the community, but, sir, have we any evidence that punishment really protects the public of New Zealand from sex crimes? The frequency with which these acts are committed'seems to give a definite answer in the negative, while we are merely giving evidence of brutality on our own part by sanctioning this cruel form of punishment. We are endeavouring now to reform prisoners through their punishment as well as to protect the public, but who would dare to suggest that flogging assists in a prisoner’s reform?. Is it not time we realised that individuals who commit sexual offences are suffering from a disease and should be protected from themselves? We have two alternative remedies —far more humane and reasonable —either to submit the prisoner to sterilisation under scientific methods, or else to send him to a farm colony where he can be encouraged to live a useful outdoor life without ever coming into direct contact with the outside world. May I press for this much-needed reform? ~ T am ’ etC " E.M. Wellington, February 15.