SOCIETY'S MISTAKES.

Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 1, 20 September 1902, Page 2

SOCIETY'S MISTAKES.

Should They be Sent to the Country ?

MAGISTRATES have a remarkable weakness for sending incor-

rigible drunkards or objectionable vagrants into the country as an alternative to committing them to gaol. Probably they imagine the pure air of the country, or the idealistic simplicity of rural life, may exercise n reforming influence upon the offender. The motive may be good, but, as far as results go, the system is unsatisfactory from the country point of view. Bad characters are more easily kept under supervision in the town, where there are plenty of police, while bad characters in the country are a terror to settlers' wives and children, and an annoyance to the community in general.

As a rule, country people are longsuffering under this grievance. But ;i body of southern farmers have just entered a remonstrance with the Minister for Justice, and there are many other settlers who would like to join in that remonstrance. It is only those who have lived in the country, and know how the settlers are dependent upon each other, that can realise the annoyance and trouble that even one bad character in their neighbourhood may occasion. There is general relief when " something happens " and that one goes. Therefore, how wrong it is that the country should be made an open dumping ground for society's mistakes who elect to accept three months in the country as an alternative to gaol.

Strangely enough, however, the Minister of Justice does not seem disposed to interfere. He does not deny the wrong that is done to the country settlers. But he thinks that if he were to give instructions to Magistrates to discontinue sending objectionable characters to the country, it would be an interference with the course of justice. Was there ever greater nonsense? It is not the function of justice to send bad chaiacters to the country, any more than it is the function of the municipality of Auckland to shoot rubbish and offensive matter into Albert Park. The municipality might do it, but citizens would have good reason for objecting.

So it is with this system of sending objectionable characters to the country. The thing is done, but most improperly so, and the country people are more than justified in objecting to these society's dumping grounds being created at their doors. As for the Minister of Justice, the reason for his inaction is amusing. If he ruled that objectionable characters should not be sent to gaol it would be an interference with the course .of justice. But turning them loose to prey upon the country settlers is not gaol.