LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM

Taranaki Daily News, 14 April 1932, Page 7

LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM

DOMINION CONFERENCE BEGINS. PUBLIC OPINION AND PROBATION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 13. The Dominion conference of the New Zealand Howard League for Penal Reform was opened to-day by the Minister of Justice (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe), who said it W’as refreshing in these times of pessimism that the league members were holding their conference and paying their own expenses in coming to it. Mr. Cobbe threw out a hint that it would not be much use bringing forward proposals involving further expenditure, but he w*as willing to hear any representations the conference might like to make to him as a result of its deliberations.

Although during the past 18 months, said Mr. Cobbe, there had been a slight increase in the number in New Zealand committed to prison over the period, th© percentage of population committed had shown a steady decrease. . Speaking with regard to the probation system, Mr. Cobbp said' that it must be remembered that society had to be protected. The present day tendency in the New Zealand prison administration was to reform rather than punish. It was a progressive policy, but it was as harmful to proceed too far in advance of public opinion as to remain behind it. The league and similar societies could and had done much in moulding and enlightening public opinion.