PARLIAMENTARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14039, 23 October 1909, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY.

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 21. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. PBISON REFORM. * The Attorney-General, continuing tbft debate on the Address-in-Reply, spoke chiefly on the question of prison reform. New Zealand was, he said, one of the most backward of countries is this respect, and the time had come 'to make a forward movement. Hitherto retaliation bad been the dominant feature of our penal system, but the aim of modern reform was the protection of society rather than the punishment of criminals. Under the system he contemplated there would be less punishment and more encouragement, but where a criminal proved hopeless he would remain under restriction for the rest of TTpi life. He alluded to the enormous wastage of life under the existing system. In the Dominion last year 5600 persons were sent to gaol. Of these upwards of 3000 had been previously convicted. The dead loss on every prisoner was £3O per annum, and with the costs of Court and police would probably total up to £7O or £BO a year. There were two main principles to be adopted. One was the indeterminate sentence. There should be a minimum penalty, but release of a prisoner should not be made at the end of the term until the Judge of the Supreme Court was satisfied that it urn ft safe for society to release liim. Then there should bo classification in the gaols, and encouragements held out for reform. Under the system proposed they would be able to send out men qualified for farming and for various occupations. He the practie® of hounding down exprisoners, instead of holding out the hand of encouragement to them. By introducing certain industries into prisons the cost of maintenance could be reduced, and if a prisoner chose to work a little t.flitter than was required ceive some remuneration. The object was SB he had said, to protect society, hut'was there not a still higher object in the salvation of the men. Sir Macdonald having spoken, the mover replied, and the Address was Council then adjourned untif Wednesday. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. A PKIVAIE BLLL. The Wanganui Catholic .Lands Bill was read a second time, without debate. A LOAN BILL. A loan Bill of one million was introduced by Governor's Message. Afr Mtmmy asked whether the Financial Statement would be made before proceeding with the Bill. Sir J. 6. Ward said he would give the fullest information from time to time. The Bill was now introduced to meet public works requirements. It was not desirable to put the Financial Statement before the House previous to going on with this Bill. He would postpone the second reading till Tuesday, and later on would explain the whole financial position. A LIST OF WORK. Sir 3. G. Ward outlined the Bills to be proceeded with this session, com- 1

prising Advances to Settlers Loans, Public Works, Land, Finance for Settlement, and National Annuities. Also legislation embodying the Govern-me-?t s P 1 " 0 !* 3531 - 3 regarding Defence, and making provision for pavment. for the Dreadnought. A Bill 'amending the land laws would be introduced, and he hoped it would be,passed this' session. Important proposals connected with native lands would also be brought down, and the House would be asked to deal with the licensing difficulty in the King Country. Bills would be introduced dealing" with the miners' trouble and hospitals and charitable aid. These were the most important measures, which would receive precedence over all others. The remainder of the afternoon session was devoted to discussion of replies to questions, and the House ro«e at .1.30. The House resumed at 7.30 n 111 THE HOSPITALS BILL. The Hon. Mr Fowlds moved tlio second reading of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Bill, which repeals the Act of 1908 and makes For abolishing the distinction lietwcen hospita. and charitable aid boards and -onibining the functions. He believed that the Bill though not perfect would result in reform of the nresent system. -Ur Massev apDroved of the Bill which he said could be much improved m committee. Messrs McLaren, Herdman, Davov, Hall, Roid, }\itty, Buick, Stalhvorthv. Bill generally supported the The Hon. Mr Fowlds replied, and tne second reading was carried on the voices. The House rose at 1.30 a.m.