DEATH.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12765, 17 June 1911, Page 7

DEATH.

Against the recommendation of the jury, the Executive has decided to hang the young Maori who murdered the gumdisger in the North. I don't pretend to know why the Executive lias coma to such a decision. The mur-dc-rer is young, with a defective moral Eense. There is no evidence other than his own admission as to the manner of the killing. There is nothing to prove that the fatal blow was- not struck during a squabble between the two men. However that may be, the jury recommended the boy to mercy, and to this boy mercy should have been extended. If he is hanged, it will bo because Sir Joseph Ward and Dr. Findlay happen to be out of the country. To hang such a boy for such a deed, +.he circumstances being as they aro, is to strain the quality of severity about to breaking-point. _ It is useless pretending that in some circumstances there may not be one law for the Maori and another for the European. Not so long ago, this boy's ancestors worn warriors a»nf cannibals, and it is nlain that bis atavisms am •strong. There is no euoli thing; possible as a general and inflexible application of law. There is one law for the weak.

and another for the strong; one law tor i.he woman, and another for th© man; one law for the wise, and another for the foolish; and so it ever must be till the world goes utterly mud. This Maori boy, convicted on his own confession (dubious evidence at any tune), should have a certain "allowance, made for his heredity. How can we—• ■we righteous—how can we know what force drove this young fellow when that man died ? We do not even know the facts and circumstances of the murder with any certainty. But we do know that the jury, having heard the evMence and studied the circumstances, recommended the boy to mercy. That re-commendation should have been considered. If .the time comes when such recommendations are disregarded, juries in such cases will soon be hesitating to do their duty. :