ABOLITION OF PENALTIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24739, 16 October 1941, Page 9

ABOLITION OF PENALTIES

DEATH AND FLOGGING CHIEF JUSTICE WITHHOLDS COMMENT (P.A.) HAMILTON, Oct. 15. "As this is the first occasion on which I have had an opportunity of addressing a grand jury since certain recent alterations were made in the law. effecting the abolition of corporal and capital punishment. I had intended to refer to the matter in some detail," said the Chief Justice. Sir Michael Myers, when delivering his charge to the grand jury at the opening of the quarterly session of the Supreme Court at Hamilton to-day. "On consideration, however, and in view of the serious issues created by the : war situation, I think it undesirable to say anything which might have a tendency to evoke controversy on what is. after all. though very important, a matter of only domestic concern. For Dractical ourposes the issue has, for the time being at all events, been closed by legislative action" On the return of the grarid jury which returned true bills in all three criminal cases. Mr C. Nisbet expressed the jury's resrret that the power of the court had been restricted with regard to the imposition of flogging in sexual cases.

The erand jurv's presentment would be sent to the Minister of Justice, said the Chief Justice. It was unfortunate, he said, that Dresentments of this kind were not made before the law was amended.