SOCIAL LEGISLATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 38

SOCI AL LEGISLATION.

DR FINDLAY INTERVIEWED. CHRISTCHURCH, January 11. The Hon. Dr Findlay told a reporter to-day that the new Reformatory Bill, parsed last session, and now_ in force, was a great advance on the old law. With regard to .habitual drunkards, he said, the law had been radically altered. Previously, power to commit a man to a home was chiefly confined to oases where there had been three or four previous convictions for drunkenness. Under the now law that would not be necessary. Proceedings might be taken in cases where there had been no previous, convictions. They could he taken by relatives of the inebriate. He believed that that provision would have wide and useful operation. When he was drafting the bill be received communications from a number ox persons who unfortunately had inebriates in their charge, and were quite powerless to deal with them. x Another important provision was in regard to the regulations affecting inmates of different homes. Both inebriates and fallen women might be made to work. There had been no power in this direction previously, and the result was often idleness on the part of the persons detained, and it militated against their reformation. Work in the proper quantity and to tha proper extent was one of the most useful agents in that respect. Under the old law there was no power of detention except in inebriate homes. The offender had to go voluntarily and remain, voluntarily. Under the new act reasonable powers of detention were given for all proper purposes. Regret was expressed by Dr Findlay at the fact that his Destitute Persons Bill had not become law last session. He states that he will introduce it again next session, and will do his utmost to have it placed on the Statute Books. . Ho said its most useful provision dealt with a reciprocal system of bringing absconding husbands to book. It contemplates similar legislation in other countries. If a man deserted his wife here and went to Australia he could be brought before the, court Ihere and punished, or an. order could be made against him to compel hint to contribute to his wife’s maintenance. The same proceeding could bo adopted with an absconding husband coming to New Zealand from some other country. This provision was inserted on the representation of some citizens of Dunedin. The bill is of a- consolidating character, and Dr Findlay says its operation, if it becomes law, will be very beneficial.