YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18533, 18 October 1923, Page 11

YOUTHFUL CRIMINALS.

INCREASED NUMBER IN GAOL.

CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS.

The annual report of the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society again drew attention to the regrettable increase in crime among young people, stating that it was significant that most of the -newcomers to gaol were lads and young men. The increase of admissions between; the ages of 15 and 25 was over 50 per cent, above last year's total.; Lack of home training, gambling, drinking, and the lessened influence of the church were some of the principal causes, while overcrowding in houses was in scime degree responsible for the laxity of morals. The value of the work of the Boy Scouts and the Young Citizens' League could not be overestimated, as both had a directly beneficial result on the boys themselves and indirectly on those with whom they associated. The report concluded: The whole question, which is of great importance, should receive the serious consideration of every thoughtful person."

INCREASE IN THE SOUTH.

DUNEDIN CHAPLAIN'S REMARKS. Ibt TELEGRAPH.—-OWN correspondent.] DUNEDIN. Wednesday. The chaplain of the Men's Mission Home, the Rev.. V. G. B. King, r states in his annual report , that the saddest feature of the year's work has been the large increase of cases among, juveniles and of immorality. There is no doubt, he says, that there is a great laxity in 'the moral tone of a large section of the rising generation, and that this is attributable..* to the want of parental control. The official statement made recently that there has been an increase of 58 per cent, in juvenile crime showed the seriousness of the position. "' ; ; ■■ ;':;■.' There has also, the report states, been an increase in the number of calls for assistance in connection with cases of husbands deserting their families,, and the urgent need of a "farm colony" where men of this class could be detained and forced to work is again urged.