CRIME AND CRIMINALS.

Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1909, Page 3

CRIME AND CRIMINALS.

. CASE OF WIFE DESERTERS, PICK UNITED I>I!KSS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, March 19. Dr. Findlay (Minister for Justice) was interviewed by members of the Beiievalent Trustees to-da.v, who propounded a scheme lor the confusion of wife deserters. They propose iluit a reciprocal arrangement be made witii Australia whereby a deserter from New Zealand could bo brought before ike Court there and dealt with for contempt of order. Tins scheme would save much expense in bringing hack deserters. It was pointed out, too, that- when Government money was spent in bringing the men back very often iho wife was the instrument of nullifying everything by withdrawing proceedings and getting her husband liberated. Dr. Findlay promised to look into the scheme, of which he generally approved. Ho Stated that ho believed that wife desertion should he treated as a criminal offence. He would communicate with the Commissioner of Police with reference to the matter. Another important matter mentioned was thai of keeping traco of men who loft their aged fathers and mothers destitute. A third point raised wit.s whether any surplus earned by prisoners could not go to their wives and families. The Minister pointed out that there was no surplus in any gaol. Auckland was nearest to it and there the cost of keep over 1110 work done by a prisoner was CI 1 ) per year. Such a scheme would involve a radical change in iho prison system. He was not prepared lo say anything I at- present ou the main stiggc.jfioi: the arrangement, with Australia—but ill would receive careful eoiisidMratjnn. !