INDECENT ASSAULTS ON CHILDREN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12087, 16 August 1917, Page 8

INDECENT ASSAULTS ON CHILDREN.

FLOGGING URGED. At an adjourned meeting of the Ricca.rton Borough Council last, night, Councillor A. D. Ford moved---' 1 That this council respectfully urges the Minister of Justice to at once amend the law so as to make flogging part of the punishment in all eases where men are convicted of indecent assault on children." The mover said ho viewed.with much concern tho number of cases of indecent assault on children in different parts of New Zealand. He was satisfied that, if a substantial flogging, say onco a week for two or three weeks, was part of the punishment attached to every conviction, there would be a very considerable reduction in that class of crime. Public opinion was demanding that that should be done, and he considered that municipal bodies were tho right and proper channels through which to approach the Government in all matters that had a direct bearing on the welfare and protection of tho public, a.nd particularly the children. Serious crimes needed severe punishment, and anyone that had given tho matter a little thought would notice that crime reduced as the punishment advanoed in severity. " You cannot expect to civilise a savage by giving him a fountain pen," said Councillor Ford, "so also you cannot expect to put an end to this sorft. of crime by mere terms of imprisonment, perhaps at a treeplanting camp, which to my idea, is more of a holiday to some men thsn punishment. If those good-meaning people who object ik> flogging on any account will only slop and think tho mate out, I think that many of them would change their ideas and join.ivith me in advocating flogging in all cases where a man is convicted of indecent assault on children." Councillor W. Dalley seconded the motion, which, after several councillors had approved of it, was carried unanimously. it was decided to send a copy of the motion to members of Parliament and to other councils for approval and endorsement.