CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17623, 9 November 1920, Page 6

CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

DIMINUTION IN 30 YEARS. NATIVE-BORN OFFENDERS. FEWER IN PROPORTION'. The statement that there has been a gradual diminution of crime throughout New Zealand during the last 50 years, was made by the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, in his charge to the grand jury at the opening of the Supremo Court criminal sessions yesterday. Commenting on the fact that the list of cases involved charges against 76 persons. Bis Honor said that considering the number of prisoners in relation to population the number of criminals now was only about two-thirds that of 30 years ago. Another pleasing feature is connection with the criminal statistics was that the offenders born and educated in New Zealand were fewer in proportion to the population than those who were born and educated outside the Dominion. His Honor added that the attitude of the authorities toward crime and criminals had greatly changed in recent years. It was now recognised that the large majority of criminals suffered from some mental deficiency—among sexual offenders many were suffering from the sins of their forefathers. In regard to punishment the old idea of "an eye for an eye. and a tooth for a tooth," had been superseded by the idea of restraint and reformation. He was glad to say that the new methods were showing pood results, and of offenders admitted to probation 92 per cent. were doing we!!, whi'.e the percentage of cases in which reformative treatment had been successful wis 70 In some years the figures were greater and in others less. Very valuable social work was being accomplished as a result of the open-air treatment of offenders on prison farm?'. He hoped the system would be extended. The number of" prison inmates in New Zealand, apart from military offenders, per 10 000 of population in 1919 was 6.9. compared with 10 in 1831. If there were less drink, less waste, and a more industrious spirit among the people there would be a great improvement in the social life of the Dominion to-day.