Evening Post SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1941. CRIMES OF VIOLENCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 115, 17 May 1941, Page 8

Evening Post SATURDAY, MAY 17, 1941. CRIMES OF VIOLENCE

Public opinion will strongly and gratefully support the salutary sentence imposed by the Chief Justice upon Leonard Neiling, found guilty of manslaughter, and will echo his Honour's strong condemnation of the crime. His Honour described the crime as "a vile, sordid, and brutal offence" and told the prisoner: "They [the jury] have taken a merciful view of the case in rinding you guilty of manslaughter only." Holding this view, his Honour said he would not take upon himself the responsibility of allowing the prisoner to be at large, even after the fairly substantial term which is usually imposed nowadays for the offence of manslaughter, and he imposed a sentence of imprisonment for life. Much is said in these days of reform of the criminal. Without detracting from the sincerity of people who urge such policies, we feel strongly that against shocking crimes of violence society must be afforded full protection. Experiments in/leniency may sometimes be successful, but Avhere they are not the penalty is paid by the victims of the unrepentant criminal.

Violent crimes have of late years

been more numerous than one might expect in a country possessing New • Zealand's high average standard of civilisation and with, at most, a very small social substratum in which violence might breed. Is there any particular or general reason for this? Is there any cause lessening respect for law? The Police Force is strong and efficient; indeed there have been several cases lately (the Neiling case is one) revealing the highest standard in intelligent, patient, and thorough work in apprehending offenders and presenting evidence leading to their conviction. The Courts have administered the law fairly, promptly, and fearlessly, and imposed appropriate penalties. In cases where capital sentences have been imposed, in accordance' with law, the sentences have had to be approved by the Executive Council. In these cases, however, the sentences within the last five years have been commuted. We raised this question on a previous occasion when we pointed out that such commutation, if practised in such a way, had the effect of abolishing capital punishment. If such abolition were thought desirable, then it should be effected directly by amendment of the law through Parliament, not by a system of reprieves which tended to become customary. Another question must also be raised: Has this practice been a factor in weakening the fear of the law with the general effect of ex-

posing the community to more crimes of violence?