OUR GAOLS NURSERIES OF VICE AND CRIME.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVII, Issue 4177, 3 January 1871, Page 3

OUR GAOLS NURSERIES OF VICE AND CRIME.

To the Editor of the DulySoutiurn Cnosa Sir, -At the opening of the last Criminal Sppsious in Wellington, the Judge remarked that the majority of the criminals confined m our colonial gaols went out in a worse moral condition, and more dangerous to society, than when they eniered, because of the utter want of all efficient arrangement to improve them during their captivity ; that nnr gaoln, i*» fiwO, ai.v o^lliUl J,1 ICB £Or VHb better education of the people in vice and crime. Does this remark apply to our province? If so, the Superintendent and Council ought to do something, and that without delay, to reform the gaol management. Is any portion of the new loana to be applied to the improvement of our gaols ? The Judge further remarked that the proportion of criminals to population was as {,reat here as at home, though the temptations or inducements to crime here were so much fewer ; and this he thought indicated an unsatisfactory state of affairs in the colony. But his Honor must have forgotten, making this last remark, that the number of publiohouses is probably greater in this colony, in proportion to population, than at horne — thanks to the paternal solicitude of our mlers for the happiness and morals of the colonists, and for ' ' the development of the resources" of the colony. The Justices and the police both in the colonies and at home are unanimous in their opinion that it is in the public-house that the great majority of crimes are engendered or stimulated. Our Government, in planting a liquor-shop at almost every corner of our streets, and, in some places, almost at every third door, take good care that public inducements to crime shall not be wanting, but shall abound. The licensed victuallers boast that by such means the revenue-chest is well supplied with, money ihrough ikem. Tk^y do not look afc the eonfcra-account, and 566 that their public-houses cost £22,000 ayear in rates and taxes. It takes all that for the support of our criminal and destitute, and those who are to look after them. The more the publicans add to the revenue the worse for the people, because the greater will be the amount of crime and destitution among them. I wish your liberal correspondent, "Anti-Humbug," could persuade — not force, mind, but persuade — all the people themselves into this belief which so many, so large a majority of them already entertain. These "think for themselves." Sir. Swanson, the people's friend, ought to ar^ue this point with them. If he be their true friend he will support the Permissive clause. ' £Tifc the publicans are making use of him — a circumstance which may lead us to doubt if he actually be the people's true friend, however he may pretend to be so, and think ihat he is so. I say this flflflaUSe I 888 the licensed victuallers have entrusted Mm with their memorial to the Provincial Council. Any memorial from them must be a prayer to prevent the sale of liquor being diminished by any means -whatever, no matter what public injury be inflicted by such sale ; no matter how it may increase crime and destitution, and thereby add to our rates and taxes. This question of temperance legislation will bring out both the good and the bad points ot human nature, and it will show how money and self-interest will stifle the voice of reason, religion, humanity, and patriotism in the breast of many. — I am, &c, U.K. A.