DRINK AND CRIME.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13277, 30 November 1911, Page 2

DRINK AND CRIME.

In its article on "TEMPERANCE" the Encyclopaedia Britanniea, published in 1911, says :—lt is impossible, however, to establish any constant relation between drink and violent crime; tho two do not vary together. It was pointed out in the Judicial Statistics for 1599 consumption of drink was 8 per cent higher and the police records of prosecutions for drunkenness 15 per cent higher than in the quiquennial period, crimes of violenco wore 1.62 per cent lower. These statistics apply only to England. When other countries are taken it becomes still clearer that other factors are more important. Mr W. D. Morrison gives the following table of homicides in proportion to population in different countries (crime and its causes). Persons tried for homicide per 100,000: Italy, 15.40; Ireland 3.35; Scotland, 2.11; Spain, 11.91; Belgium, 3.02; Germany, 1.61; Austria, 4.01; France, 2.75 ; England, 1.60. Except that England, Scotland and Ireland are in order of relative drunkenness, the tablo shows no correspondence between drink and homicide. National character and climate are evidently moro important determining factors.*