PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2649, 21 December 1904, Page 58

PATIENTS AND PRISONERS' AID SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The twenty-seventh annual meeting of the Patients and Prisoners' Aid Society was held on Wednesday afternoon in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. His Honor Mr Justice Williams, the president of the society, occupied the chair, and about 50 ladies and gentlemen were present. Apologies were received from -11 ladies and gentlemen, who were unable through unavoidable circumstances to attend.

The Rev. J. Chisholm opened the meeting with prayer.

EEPORT AND BALANCE SHEET.

The President, in moving the adoption of the report and balanoe sheet (already published), said that the society during the past year had continued its benefioicnt work, and he trusted that the success which had met its efforts during previous years would be continued. Unfortunately, they had to record the loss through death of Dr Hislop, who was well -known as a distinguished educationist, and had left his mark in the educational institutions of this colony. But h ©was more than that — he was a man of great • breadth of mind and benevolence. Dr> Hislop became associated with this society so long ago as 1889, and was untiring in Ms efforts to promote its usefulness. He was also ready to assist the agents of the society in their good work. He (the president) had been so long associated with the society, and it was sad for him to think that so many of those who, during that time, had also been connected with it had passed away. Indeed, he really thought he might say that, with the exception of Mr Torranoe, Mr QuiclcT and himself, there were none now in the society who were present .in Mr Gillies' s office many years eugo, 'when the society was initiated. From the report before them they would see that the oommittee had received generous support from numerous sources, and the financial position was a sound one. They had lived -within their "income.— (Applause.) During the current year two legacies of £100 apiece, had been received, and these had been placed to a reserve fund. There was no doubt that it was a wise thing to place these legacies in a reserve fund, but his own opinion was that if they could see a -decent and reasonable opportunity -of expending them in the work of the society, the sooner they expended them the better. —(Applause.) /He was not at all a believer in a - charitable institution hoarding .up money unless it was really necessary for ,to do so," and iie thought that the fact *.of; a charitable institution having, a large balance -to' it's credit was rather apt tp. dry up the_ spring df publio charity. So long as they could pay their way, and did .not get into debt, that was, he thought, all that was necessary. — ("Hear, hear.") The report this -year was really very much on the same lin^s as the reports in former years. The work" 'done by the agents of the* "society 1 wfis partly spiritual work and .partly/ for ; the rendering of temporal assistance to - patients and prisoners . who were . discharged' and in need of such assistance-* They would see from the report how energetic Mr Torrance and Mr Axelsen had been in the spiritual part of their labours; that not only had they conducted services at the various institutions, but Mr Axelsen had conducted a Bible class at the Industrial School with great success, as Mr Burlinson's letter, which appeared in the report, testified. The committee now, as heretofore, appreciated the thoroughly faithful work performed by Mr Torrance and Mr Axelsen, and they were very happy to know that Mr Torrance's health was much better than it -was a year or two ago. — (Applause.) A year or two ago he was very anxious about Mr Torranee, but he seemed to have renewed his youth. Mr Axelsen had been a faithful and earnest lieutenant. — (Applause.) To the report of the Committee was added a report by Mr TorraYice and Mr Axelsen, whfch was well worth* reading and studying. It touched upon a number of matters of great interest, and it dealt with the question of obtaining work for discharged prisoners. That question was always a difficult one, but Mr Torrance and Mr Axelsen appeared to 'say that .fortunately there was not that difficulty in finding work for -discharged prisoners that the public too ■ frequently imagined, and that employers were -to be ''found who were perfectly willing to give such men a chance. That was Tery good hea'ringy and it was also very satisfactory to know that there was no concealment by the officers of the society in matters of this kind. They did not ask an employer to take a discharged prisoner without telling the employer that the person was -a discharged prisoner, so that there could be .no surprise in the matter. The employer knew what he was doing, and if he chose to take the man so much the better. It was pleasing to know that the police authorities co-operated- willingly with the officers of the society, and offered every facility to them in the discharge of their work. There was no doubt that the police and the gaol authorities recognised the good work which the society did, and that in assisting discharged prisoners it really tended to restore them to the position of useful members of society, and, therefore, diminished orime. It was a very happy tiling that Mr Torrance and Mr Axelsen were Sable to work harmoniously with the officers of the various organisations and the different religious denominations, the sisterhoods, Salvation, Army, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. St. Vincent de Paul himself, in his maxims, laid great weight on the value of a fraternal charity. It was a happy thing that amongst these denominations, with all their differences of doctrine, Mr Torrance and Mr Axelsen were- able to show that fraternal charity exists. He had much pleasure in moving the .. adoption of the report and balance sheet.

The Rev. W. Saunders, in seconding the motion, congratulated Mr Torrance oh again enjoying good health. He expressed the hope that that gentleman would be spared to take part in the annual meeting for many years to come. — (Applause.) At the same time, it wag well that such a man as Mr Axelsen should be what he might term in training, forlhe regarded Mr Axelsen as permanently identified with tne sooiefcy. He bore testimony to the work done at the Industrial School t>y Mr Axelsen in the oonduct of the Bible class. With regard to the employment of discharged prisoners, it had been eaid that the police were in the habit gi going t.o an employe jr

who had taken on an ex-prisoner, and asking if the employer was aware of the past of the man in his employ, and that that generally led to the man getting discharged; but it was a pleasant treat to hear that Mr Torrance made it a practice to mention the fact of the man being a discharged prisoner before the employer gave him work. The motion was then carried. COMPLIMENTARY AND ELECTION OF OFFICK-

BEAREBS,

Mr G. M. Thomson moved that a vote of thanks be accorded to the committee for its services during the p<ist year. The society was largely indebted to the gentlemen forming the committee for giving their time, vigour, and zeal to the cause. Tho president had mentioned that the committee was composed of different gentlemen to those who had met together in the early days of the society's existence, with one or two exceptions, but he noticed that there were several on the oommittee who were following in the footsteps of their fathers, and in that connection he might mention the names of Messrs Hislop, Smith, Stewart, Barr, and Dick. Mr W. L. Logic seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The Hon. W. M. Bolt moved—" That the following gentlemen be the office-bearers and the committee for the ensuing year: — President, Mr Justice Willimas; vice-presi-dent, Mr E. E. C. Quick; hon. treasurer, Mr W. Hislop; oommittee — Messrs G. Fenwick, R. Chisholm, A. S. Paterson, P. Duncan. W. Gow, E: R. Smith, P. Barr, F. Z. Moore, W. Downie Stewart, T. H. Dick, Captain Thomson, and S. C. Phillips." The mover of the motion was glad there was no intention to make any difference- in the personnel of the committee beyond filling the vacancy which had to be filled owing to the deeplyregretted death of Dr Hislop. Dr Hislop was one of our oldest citizens, and took a deep interest in the society and in other forms of social reform. ' The giving of assistance to persons involved great difficulties which could only be got over by having those experienced in the' work. He thought such work required a mind fairly balanced between the emotions and the intellect. A good deal of the success of the society was due to his Honor's influence on the Committee.

The Rev. Mr Waters seconded the motion, and expressed sympathy with the objects of the society, which he thought had effected great good in the community. The motion was carried.

The Rev. Mr Kilpatrick moved — "That a hearty vote of thaniks be accorded those gentlemen who had assisted the agents in connection with the services in the several institutions ; to the collectors in town and country districts for their valuable services ; and the city, suburban, and country ourehes and Sabbath schools which gave liberal collections and donations; to the friends" who gave employment to the persons recommended? by the agents ; to the honorary auditor for ' the year's accounts ; to the -Benevolent Institution authorities and all others 'who haye' furthered the agents' efforts ; and . to the officers of the several institutions for the assistance they have rendered." He (Mr Kilpatrick) was sure no words of his were needed to commend the resolution, and he would simply move it.

Mr J.,M. Gallaway • seconded the motion, and said Mr Saunders had mentioned that he had been told from time to time that the police were- over officious where an exprisoner obtained employment. He (the speaker) was perfectly certain Mr Saunders believed what he said, but he (Mr Gallaway) claimed to be fairly well known to the police. — (Laughter.) He claimed to know the police fairly well, and thought ifc was only right to say of them that they conducted the delicate duties they had to perform at times in connection with ex-prisoners in a tactful and discreet manner. Mr Torrance would boar that out. One way in which the society appealed to them was that in giving charity themselves -they might do it indescriminately and give in cases that were not deserving, whereas through the medium of the society they might give without fear of such a thing. They could give in the hands of Mr Torranee and Mr Axelsen, who devoted their whole life to the work, and who knew whether men were humbugging or not, without hesitation. Before sitting down he would like to extend to Mr Torranoe his thanks for the assistance he had given •in connection with cases he (Mr Gallaway) had had placed in his hands. The motion was carried.

Mr T. Mackenzie, M.H.R., moved — "'lhat this society is worthy of public sympathy and support, and that this meeting bespeaks for the agents,* from residents in the country districtsespeeially, assistance in finding suitable employment for such persons discharged from any of the institutions as^ may be recommended by them." . Speaking to the motion, he said he felt sure, so far as the country districts were concerned, that where any deserving case was recommended they were prepared to make room for it. He could speak from, his own knowledge / of the country in this respect, because he knew many ,of these men had proved great successes, and had turned from their former ways of life. He endorsed what Mr Gallaway had eaid about the police. He knew the poJice of the country districts, and he had never heard a case in which a policeman had mentioned to anyone employing an exprisoner that the man had been in trouble.

Mr Gilkison seconded the motion, and had pleasure in bearing testimony to the good work done by the agents of the society. He did not agree with some of the remarks as to the difficulty of finding work for exprisoners. He considered it was absolutely necessary for the police in some cases to inform people what sort of nran they were employing. At the same time, he was satisfied that people would, where a man was recommended by the society, give- him a chance.

Mr Torrance, in briefly addressing the meeting, paid, he could not /jive fuller particulars of the work of the society than was in the report without giving details as to individuals, and that, he thought, was undesirable. He and Mr Axeken were both very gratified at the kind expressions and at the confidence reposed in them. With regard to the new committee, Mr Phillips stepped into the place of Dr Hislop., a gentleman of revered memory. Mr Phillipshad been head gaoler in Dunedin, and had worked wiih him (Mr Torrance) for many years.. Mr Philips had frequently acted as his assistant, and had worked very well indeed. Now he had entered into the position of being on© of the " bosses." — (Laughter.) Such was the irony of fate. With regard to what had been said about the police and ex-prisoners, it was a very delicate subject. It was quit© true constables and detectives really ,fsli i* ih^;r

duty sometimes to mak© known to employers who they had upon their premises " where, they had engaged ex-prisoners. There were prisoners and prisoners, and all hecould say was they had had very little difficulty in the matter. He mentioned a case where a gentleman -had employed two 3 r ouths who had been in trouble, and both had turned out well the one rising to a better position and receiving a higher salary, while the other had, unfortunately, though he had shown great promise, spent a good deal of time in the Hospital. Ho (Mr Torrance) had received messages from the police asking him to give attention to finding employment for certain persons who had come, or were coming, out of gaol, and who had no prospect of getting a footing anywhere. In one case a detective had come to his house to make known the necessities of a man who could not obtain a footing anywhere. Mr Torrance also mentioned a case where the police had informed an employer of the past of the man h» had in his employ, but the man's record justified it in that case. The man was not dismissed, but he broke down, though not through anything the police had said. He did not chink the police were cruel. He thought they were ready to help anyone who showed a real, earnest desire to do well, no matter how frequently he might have fallen before that.

The motion moved by Mr Mackenzie was then put, and carried. CBIiIIN\L PHOCEDTJHE. -' : The Key. Dr Waddell said he wished to submit a resolution,- which, though not directly or officially connected with the'proceedings of the day, yet naturally, he thought, flowed out of them. His motion was— " That in order to secure the. best results in the reformation of criminals this society begs the Government to make provision for the introduction of a system of indeterminate sentences into our criminal procedure." This resolution, ha thought, was directly connected with the work in which tho society was engaged. It was a good and heroic thing to Rather up the wounded from the field of battle, but he thought it was an equally good and heroic thing to try and prevent, if possible, the wounded being there. To some extentr they were doing that, and the society with its agents had been doing good work for years past in assisting prisoners, but it seemed to him that something more might be attempted, at least in the battle of reforming the criminal. The necessity for that was quite evident, he thought, to those who really took much interest in th© matter. The authorities regarding it were very strong in affirming the fact that we are not j getting the best results out of our present ! treatment of prisoners. A leading German .' jurist and also a former Chief Justice of ;

England bore testimony to. the fact that in many cases the sentences imposed by courts ; had no restraining influence on the com- : mission of crime, and statistics, seemed to ; bear that Gilt. The tide of criminality was .j rising in almost all .civilised countries, so j it was said, and whilst, he was not quite ; satisfied that , that was an accurate state- j ment of exact facts, still it was true that : in civilised cquntries tho number of prisoners '. convicted more than once was steadily rising. ; That showed, he thought, that there was some- j thing wrong in our dealing with prisoners, . and for a long time ho had come to the ' conclusion that our system of committing ; prisoners to gaol under determinate sen- ; tences, without ipjeing any steps to see, j when the time came for their liberation, j whether they were really fit to be again returned io society was a wrong one. Take the case of a ship coming to our port with/ plague on board. The ship was not put into quarantine for any specified space of time, but was kept there till the passengers had recovered — till the medical officers authorised their being set at liberty. With criminals, however, no such steps were taken, and they ■were allowed to come out when their sentences expired, no matter whether* any improvement or not had been effected on > them whilst in gaol. The chances were .they j were worse men and women than when they went in. "What they wanted was a system under which efforts would be put forth to find out whether prisoners should be allowed to return to society again. In America j there were two or three prisons founded on ', this system of indeterminate sentence, and ; one was the reformatory of the State of i New York. According to statistics 80 per j oant. of the prisoners committed to that J reformatory had been restored to society again quite reformed. Tt was a remarkable fact that only about 1 per cent, of the j prisoners who had been committed were ! returned to the State gaol for treatment j there. The results where the system had i been tested were such that he thought they j should make an effort to get a system of this kind grafted on to our present prison procedure. The objection in regard to the cost entailed was really a small matter compared with the cost entailed in dealing with the prisoners under the present system, and ho instano&d a case in America where a female prisoner and her descendants had, in about 70 years, cost the State, through the Judioial Department, £250,000. That was an exceptional case, but he felt quite sure that en the score of economy the system of indeterminate sentences would recoup the colony 10 times over, whilst regarded in the light of the reclamation of the criminal, which could not fee calculated in pounds, shillings, and pence, it would bo an incalculable gain. Of course, under such a system a person who committed ft serious orime mierht be released very shortly, whilst a man who had committed what was lelativelv a small crime mityht be kept iv prison for a long time, He thought thesociety was justified in asking the Government to try the experiment of indeterminate sentences. He Vnew that the present Inspector-general of " "sons was not favourable to the project, but he thought their president was in favour of it. If he remembered aright, his Honor had referred to the subject from tho chair, and also recently expressed some regret that a certain person could not be subjected to some such system as was now propose:!.

Mr P. Barv seconded the mofion. Rev. W. Sa-undevs eugigeeted that the motion should) be amended in thp. direction of malting the subject a matter for discussion at a future meeting. He, personally, was not propared to vote on the nuestion that afternoon, not having sufficiently thmurhfc out the* matter.

The President auvraestecl that Dr W&ddell ■nonM be content with moving the resolution, and not ask the meeting to vote upon it. The Rev. Mr Saunders had said that he was not prepared to vote because he had not sufficient knowledge on the subject, and that was the case, he should think, with the majority of the meeting. It was to some, extent the case with himself, although he had had pome opportunity of considering the matter. Foe hi§ own part, he knew there.

was a great deal of literature and statistics on the subject, but thia he had never gone carefully into. It had occurred to him that there were certain cases — not all cases, but certain cases — in which, this system of indeterminate sentence might very well be applied, and it would be a good thing to give the presiding judge the discretion as to whether, in any particular case, the indeterminate sentence should be imposed, such discretion, of course, to be subject to appeal. But as to whether the system of indeterminate sentence should be substituted for the system of determinate sentence was quite another matter. Supposing a man got into a drunken row and broke a window, or hit somebody, and was sentenced to a week's imprisonment. That was punishment for him and a warning for others, and it woulcfl be absurd in that and many other cases to inflict an indeterminate sentence. His own, view — and it was not a mature one — was that the indeterminate sentence should be imposed in cases where, either from the nature of the crime or from the previous career of the prisonei", it was likely to be dangerous to society if he were allowed out, unless ib was clearly established that he was so reformed that he would be no longer a danger. He thought, however, that the majority of them before voting on the resolution wouldl like to be enabled to give it a good deal of further consideration. They were very much, indebted to Dr Waddell for bringing the matter forward. The. question of the habitual criminal was a most difficult one to deal with, and anyone who brought for■ward any suggestion with a view to preventing the creation of the habitual criminal, or of getting rid of him when created, was really a benefactor to society..

Mr G. Fenwick suggested that the resolution might be altered in the direction of making it a recommendation to the committee to take the matter into considerationduring the year, and to formulate a report on it for consideration at the next annual meeting.

The Hon. Mr Bolt thought it would bd~ better to ask Government to set up a commission io inquire as to whether the method was desirable or otherwise. — (Several Members: "No.") The commission would* b& of a judicial character, and their worthy president would be upon it. He would! move that they ask Government to set up a commission for th© purpose of inquiring as to whether it would be desirable or otherwise to have a system of indeterminate sentences in criminal procedure. Mr A. Sligo suggested that the motion should take the form of asking Government to consider the desirableness of inquiring into the-, natter. The President thought the following would meefc the oase: — "That in order to secure better results in the reformation of criminals this society begs the Government to inquire whether it is desirable. to make provision for the introductiin of the system of indeterminate sentences into our criminal procedure." , ,

Dr Wad'lell and Mr Fenwiok both expressed their readiness to accept this amended furm of motion, and on it being' moved by the Hon. Mr Bolt it w&s carried unanimously _v.

Mr A. Sligo referred to his gratification at seeing Mr Torrance at his post, and also at the presence of the president at the meeting. He moved that- a hearty vote of thanks be accorded his Honor for presiding. — (Applause.) The President acknowledged the compliment, and the meeting ended.