YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

Hastings Standard, Volume IX, Issue 5106, 25 January 1906, Page 2

YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS.

Til l<: Minister of Justice has signified his intention of considering the advisability of having a system of juvenile conns in the colony, such as are in existence in other parts of the world. It has often been suggested that the youthful law breakers should not be classed with the adult offenders in the hearing of cases, but should be dealt with in an altogether different manner. In many cases boys, who have been brought before the open court, have never repented, and are thereafter afllicted with the disease of crime. If the cases were heard privately, without an audience, friendly advice would be more effectual, and the youths would be more likely to: turn over a new leaf and grow into sensible men. In America this scheme has worked magnificently, and many a boy who has boon kidnapped by crime has been saved, and eventually converted into a valuable asset of the (State. Experiments have been made by Magistrates in the South Island, and the results should prove to the Minister the urgent necessity of juvenile courts. We trust that he will decide to have the system extended to Xew Zealand, which contains enough adult criminals without having juvenile offenders.