THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1905. THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8965, 3 August 1905, Page 4

THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 1905. THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL.

The habitual, and apparently irreclaimable criminal, forms a problem which modern society does not quite know how to deal with. And the worst of it is that he is appearing in increased numbers. The Supreme t-'ourt Judges often say they do not know how to deal with him, Magistrates and the police are only too ready to move him on to somewhere else, and to goalers when he is incarcerated he is a perpetual worry. A few evenings ago Mr Sidey, member for Caversham, introduced him to the attention of the House of.. Representatives, but questions in sociology 'have not many attractions for honorable members. Such questions are no doubt more difficult than most of those upon which speeches can be made so glibly. ■ At any rate, only two members beside the mover felt equal to tackling the problem of which we- are speaking. Mr Sidey was able to show that in New Zealand as well as in England, crime and habitual criminals are on the increase. His figures proved that the summary con-

victions in the lower courts tend to increase, but this is not regarded a 6 serious in view of the circumstance that new offences of all sorts are being created by the Education Acts, Old Age Pensions Acts, Shop Hours Acts, and the more stringent municipal by-laws which are- now the fashion. But it is somewhat serious to find that indictable offences, more especially those against the person, are increasing. Mr Sidey's figures appeared conclusive on that point, and he was also able to show from quotations from the Prisons Report that habitual criminals are multiplying. Of 4786 prisoners who were received into ' the gaols during 1903 about one-half had I boon previously convicted, and one-third of them had been convicted three or more times. Then he gave a case which he called typical, but which it may be hoped is an illustration of what may occur Tather than of what does often happen. The case referred to is that of a man who though but. 61 years of age has received sentences aggregating nearly forty years. He commenced in 1865 with a very serious crime against the person, but subsequently changed his fancy to an attack on property, and made forgery a speciality. Htwas jio sooner out of gaol than he was in again. The notorious case of Butler was also quoted. Mr Sidey's argument was that there are many such cases of more or less grave character, and that when once a man has shown that he will not keep i out of mischief except- when imprisoned, the Stato should say, "Very well, in prison yon remain, until you, satisfy us that you earnestly wish to reform." The indeterminate sentence is his remedy, and' he would gi\ c a Judge of tlie_S»p**««* ' Court discretionary -power to pass such a sentence when a convict has been previously convicted three or more times. The prisoner woidd be treated punitively fcr a certain time, and thereafter .be simply detained fcr the protection .if the public but he would be allowed to work under conditions that, would enable him to earn part cost- of his maintenance, and even to accumulate something for liinwelf. The Minister for Justice made a long and somewhat interesting speech. In co many words he said he did not think the scheme was practicable, and he raked a variety of difficulties as to who should be vested with the discretion of bringing to a close a a indeterminate sentence. He also objected very strongly to prison labor made goods being sold, and asked "why should we teach them (prisoners) a trade in order that they may produce various articles and co come into competition with free men who are bearing their share of taxation." That, of course, opens up a serious difficulty, which is not altogether disposed of by the forceful rejoinder "why should honest men who pay taxes be burdened with tho maintenance of criminals?" However, the Minister of Justice, while objecting to prison-labor being used for manufacturing purposes, referred with pardonable pride to the very good work being done in the way of afforestation by prisoners. He said, referring to the system of prieon tree-planting camp : "By this means the prisoner is given an opportunity, if Ik> haa any self-esteem left, of saving himself from being degraded ; he may improve himself mentally and physically; he also learns in many cases to do useful work; and while we are improving the individual the State is being benefited by tba result of his labor. This system has only been introduced during the last -four or five , years, so there has only been that time to observe the effects. We have in these camps between- one and two hundred men, i who are constantly engaged in the culture ' of trees." The Bill was, aft-er a very . short debate, read a second time without a division, but that it will go much further is doubtful. It raises a difficult question which the House did not foe. 1 inclined to discuss at any length.