SOCIAL PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 137, 10 June 1918, Page 2

SOCIAL PROBLEM

TO THE KDITQI^

Sir,—lt gladdened my heart somewhat to read the spirited and broad-minded reply of "L.M." in to-night's issue. Now, Sir, these two unfortunate women are paying the penalty for their folly. The innocent young chidren of oue of them have also to suffer, and the narrow views expressed by some of the cor. scripts will r,ot tend to increase or lessen their lot. Suffice it to say that the Magistrate, who is paid as a competent person to administer the law, has seen fit—after over two weeks' deliberation, and perhaps sleepless nights—topunish these women with imprisonment, and in his drastic summing up relegated them unto the very lowest of their sex. Evei-yons has read the evidence in this much-discussed case, and the Magistrate's well-thought-out decision; I", no particular part of the evidence has it been proved that these women were prostitutes, medical expert opinion being entirely to the contrary. In spite of all, these womon were condemned. Such is the law as administered in our ■fair young country of New Zealand. I admire, and no doubt all broad-minded citizens do likewise, the fearless attitude adopted by Lady Stout in the matter, and it is to be hoped that the result of her action will bring home to our politicians and law-makers the absolute injustice existing under our present War Regulations. There should be one law only, and not one for the man {who gets off scot free) and one for tho woman (who is left to suffer in silence). It is time we in New Zealand diverted from the narrow groove into which we are rapidly falling. Eng-' land has always prided herself on being a free nation, and Englishmen as free and broad-minded men. Are we degenerating?—l am, etc.,

FATHER OF DAUGHTERS. 7th June.