ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24737, 14 October 1941, Page 11

ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —All our people are in danger—young and old—while such atrocious laws as those that forbid flogging and abolish the death penalty are in existence. Though the Government may be so regardless of murdwr and atrocious outrage on innocent people as to make these laws to protect these dangerous reptiles—they are worse, than reptiles—then it must be just as easy for it to undo them and make laws that will protect innocent people. We don't know whose turn it will be next. The slightest grievance may be excuse enough for killers to show their ability with firearms. At present there is no redress for they know they will get imprisonment for a certain time and then freedom again to do as they like. So long as this Government is in power we shall go in fear of our lives, and also will steadily lose our freedom I am, etc., Elizabeth. Dunedin, October 12. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—To suggest that the abolition of the death sentence had any influence on Graham embarking on a murder campaign is surely the product of unbalanced thinking.—l am, etc., A. Caldwell. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I am amazed that so far there has not appeared in your columns any "diagnosis" of the "illness" from which that poor Koiterangi murderer is "suffering." Surely all those selfstyled humanitarians, the " herrenvolk" in our midst, must realise how eagerly we lesser men await their pronouncement, in order that we may De enlightened by their superior wisdom and moral elevation. Here is a live, practical opportunity for them. Why do they not strike while the iron is hot? Action, not words, is what most of us understand. Therefore, what better guarantee of their earnestness, so frequently so vocal, than to volunteer at once, mass themselves at Koiterangi, forbid any to trespass on their preserve, while they make a study of the case on the spot? Such a scientific, practical approach to the problem would, I should think, meet with the unbounded gratitude and approval of we inferior beings, who believe that capital punishment has, like the toad, ugly and venomous, yet a precious jewel in its head—that jewel of the greater welfare of the greater number, the banishment from the ranks of the living of those who banish the right of life from one or more of their fellows.—l am, etc., Justitia. Oamaru, October 11. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—And God said: " What hast thou done? The voice of thy brother's blood crieth to me from the ground." " Whoso sheddeth man's blood by man shall his blood be shed." These words seem to be a Divine challenge to mankind to co-operate with the Creator in the elimination of murder, where an unrestrained person allowed his anger or spirit of vengeance to operate against others. The death penalty for murder was acting fairly well. Let every town, every village, every district in New Zealand petition Parliament to re-establish at once the death penalty for murder. Otherwise, with Satan's emissaries at work, we are all as dead men!—l am, etc., Adherent to Old Ways. Roxburgh, October 13.