The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22, 1926. RELEASE OF PRISONERS.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10426, 22 December 1926, Page 4

The Pahiatua Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, DEC. 22, 1926. RELEASE OF PRISONERS.

Considerable controversy has been aroused concerning the release a few months ago of certain persons namely, C. K. Mack ay, E. Raume, and a youth named Baker. The administration of the Prisons Board was called into question and it was alleged that a great deal of partiality had been shown in the treatment extended to these offenders, as their respective crimes wore <ir a very serious nature. The Hon. E. J. Rolleston, Minister of Justice, recently called upon the Prisons Board to furnish a full report upon its administration in reply to criticism, that had been instigated by the Rev. Howard Elliot regarding the releaise of Eric Baumc and supported by a considerable section of the Press. The reiHirt, signed by the chairman of the board, Mr Justice Stringer, has been furnished to the Minister and has been released by him for publication. In this report the constitution and functions of the Board are outlined, there is a reply to the criticism which had been levelled at the Board, and interesting details are supplied dealing with the three cases named. It would seem that the Board has dealt with the three cases under review in a

humanitarian manner, though it is unfortunate that all the facts, as now presented to the pul'd ie for the first time, were not made available at the very outset of the controversy. It would have saved a lot of misunderstanding and wrangling, and an nil fortunate attempt also to stir up wretched sectarian strife. Tt is a

great pity, we repent, that the official statement has been belated, as an impression has certainly l>een created that favouritism lias been shown. Even now, there arc probably a number of people who consider that undue leniency has been manifested towards the prisoners named, hut the Hoard seeks to establish that no, useful purpose would l>e served, in view of the exemplary conduct of each one, and ether circumstances, by their detention. They were released on ertain conditions, and the Board fully believes that these conditions will be strictly observed. In the report of the Prisons Board, it

is strange that there is no particular mention of the man Smith, whom Baume used as a tool in his crime of fraud. The cases under review have had the effect of drawing a great deal of attention to the reformative system and its results, and in this respect it lias achieved some good. It is to be hoped that the somewhat fierce controversy which has waged around the release of these three prisoners will not have any prejudicial effect upon any further eases that may be deemed worthy of favourable consideration in the future. We believe that the aim of the Prisons Board is to give offenders every chanc-e to make good and if age and health combined permit, to start life afresh. Associated with thdis controversy was the appointment of Mr Da Hard to the position of ControllerGeneral of Prisons. An appeal was lodged against his appointment, but after full consideration, the Appeal Board has confirmed the appointment. The Minister of Justice has, in the report released this week, sought to have the wliofe business placed fully before the people, and no doubt the mind of the public will now be at rest on the subject.