PARLIAMENT

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 1288, 14 September 1910, Page 4

PARLIAMENT

THE HOUSE IN SESSION.

DJ-JBATE OX THE CHIMES BILL. I P!'H Pit £88 ABSOOIATtON. Wellington, September 13. t The .House met at 2.30 o'clock. The bam ing Amend men t .Bill was read a first time. CHIMES ACT AMENDMENT. In moving the second reading of the Crimes Act Amendment Bill, which had been passed by the Legislative Council, the Hun." G. Fowlds emphasised the necessity for improved methods in the treatment of criminals, and said it was only when attempts at reforming them failed that the purely repressive measures hitherto m use should be applied. Under the Ehnira bystem only 4 per cent, of criminals had returned to crime, as against o3 per cent, under the Kcw Zealand system, and if the new scheme approached such a result it would bo very satisfactory. He believed the Bill would not only lessen crime and danger to society, 'but reclaim many lives and save a great deal of expense. Mr Allen approved of the principle of tho Bill. It was, however, only an extension of the present system of indeterminate -sentences, and not a new system. While he favoured giving criminals a chance, it would be wrong to abolish the punishment of those who were not amenable to reformative treatment. He considered the power under clause by which Magistrates could impose three-years' reformative, imprisonment, very great- to place in tho hands of some Magistrates: He criticised the proposals to utilise prison labour in orchards and teach trades which might unfairly compete with others' living. However, the purpose of the Bill was a worthy one, and tho defects pointed out might he removed in committee. Mr Taylor (Thames) considered that the main proposals of the Bill did not reach the root of the evil. Better reason should be shown for including a Judge on the Prison Board. The Judges' close- contact with tho criminal classes rendered them unsympathetic, Mr Ha nan combatted Mr Taylor's views regarding the. Judges, "who, with lawyers, had always been in the forefront- of humanitarian and democratic movements. It was now recognised that society owed a duty to the criminal, and much could be'done to lielp a criminal to work out hit; own' salvation. i Mr Hogg considered fruit-growing j was not- the most suitable occupation for the criminal. Providence seemed to have specialised criminals for the legal profession. It was impossible to reform hereditary degenerates. He would like to see the House inquire into what crime wan? The solution of tho labour problem would do much to lessen tho ranks of criminals. He approved of the principle of the Bill. Mr Poole said no dembt effective means of reformation could he applied to those having criminal tendencies if caught young. He failed to understand why objection was taken to tin* proposal to use prison labour in cultivating lands for fruit-growing purposes. At the same time he was against employing prisoners in occupations that would compete with ordinary labour. Mr Thomson (Wallace) congratulated tho. Government on the introduction of a humanitarian measure. The- reformatory prison sit Invereargill had proved that work of thc_proper kind was the best means ol restoring the self-respect and character lof those convicted of crime. In order, however, to eradicate crime it was necessary to deal primarily with the young . Much could ho done- by moans of moral instruction in schools to counteract predisposition to crime. Mr Laurenson generally approved of the Bill. Mr T. J , :. Taylor (Chrwtchurch) believed that all classes appreciated the work" of the Attorney-Gwiera! (Hon. Dr. l.''indlay) in his endeavours to reform the prison system. No factor made more for the production of criminals than the liquor traffic, and the abolition of this, trade would do mniv than any law to root out crime, lie condemned the provision giving magistrates power to extend an ordinary sentence for three years for reformative purposes ats being inimical to the liberty <>f the individual. There was something sarnge about it. The same- objection did not apply t:i a •Judge, as behind hint was a jury. Me objected to i.-onstabk's. many of whom were raw youths, having power to prevent- persons being, released on probation, mi committing a broach i>l their license. The spirit ol vengeance was embodied in conditions, lie also protested against tbe clause-which made it an indictable offence for a probationer to attempt to leave tinDominion. .Mr Russell ('Avon) said he would move in Committee that the Judges should have the jmal decision in sentencing prisoners to reformatory detention. Even then there was a dangen that -Judges might exercise their power with severity. The Mou.*>e was .still sitting when the telegraph oflice closed.