PROBLEM OF PERVERTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16485, 2 May 1925, Page 5

PROBLEM OF PERVERTS.

OFFENCES AGAINST WOMEN COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION. PAINFUL AND DEPRESSING TASK. (By Telegraph—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The committee set up to consider th 0 problem of mental defectives and sexual perverts states, inter alia, that evidence and reports in the press and elsewhere offer sufficient proof of necessity for some drastic amendment of the law on lines suggested by the Prisons Board. In May, 1924, the number of sexual offenders in prison in the Dominion was 185, or 17.27 per cent, of all prisoners then in custody. The percentage has since been increased by recent commitments of cases of the most serious types. In five years, 1919-23, there were 331 persons' sentenced in Supreme Court for sexual offences. Various types of sexual offences are mentioned, and remedies which have been suggested, including indeterminate sentences, segregation, institutional treatment, detention- in farm reformatory prisons, sterilisation, and desexualisation. The increase of sexual offences during recent years and the disgust felt by all normally disposed people when contemplating cases of sexual perversion and assault upon young children have created a strong public opinion in favour of dealing with these offences as radically as circumstances will permit. The report sets out as clearly as is possible the result of such operations and its deductions as to the probability of the achievement of the result desired. As in a proportion of cases cf sexual perversion the tendency is hereditary, the operation would tend to restrict the number of individuals in the community afflicted in this manner. In cases of ttTe worst type lhe indeterminate sentence would doubtless resolve itself into detention for life. At all costs the women and children of the community must be protected against this class of offender. In proceeding to summary of findings the committee says the requirements' of the position are fairly well covered by the terms of the Prisons Board resolution. Recommendations. The committee recommended:— 1. Amendment of Crimes Act, giving the Court full discretion whether sentences shall be definite or indeterminate. 2. Prison Board to have power cf recommendation for release upon probation or discharge of prisoners under indeterminate sentences as they now have in regard to other prisoners. 3. Appointment of psychiatrist to advise Prisons Department. 4. Prisons Board to be advised by Eugenic Board as to release or discharge of sexual or feeble-minded offenders.

5. The committee feel that information at present available in regard to sterilisation or desexualisation of sexual offenders is inadequate to permit of sound and final judgment as to value of procedure, and recommend the whole question be .remitted for careful investigaton by the Eugenic Board proposed to be set up. Painful and Depressing Task. In conclusion the committee says: “The work has been of a painful and depressing character. We need not refer to lhe depth of human degradation. and the revolting pathological details which had to be explored in dealing with the perverts, beyond saying that the witnesses who faced the unpleasant task of giving evidence deserve the thanks of the public for discharging what they evidently felt to be a public duty. Feeble-minded: The most saddening experience was the sight of so many children deprived of their full share of the light of reason, often maimed and stunted in body as well as in intellect. The sight was made sadder still by the reflection that unless prompt and effective action Is taken, the multiplication of these degenerates will increase, and the race will steadily deteriorate. “New Zealand is a young country, already exhibiting some of the weaknesses of much older nations, but it is now at the stage where, if its people are wise, they may escape the worst evils of the Old World. It has rightly been decided that this should be not only a ‘white man’s country,’ but as completely British as possible. We ought to make every effort to keep the stock sturdy and strong as well as racially pure. ... In these beautiful and richly dowered islands we have a noble heritage—to be in keeping, and to ensure the development of their resources' and enjoyment of their blessings, the inhabitants should be of the highest type obtainable by human effort.

“This is the lesson which has been impressed upon the minds of the committee during its investigations, and They have been sustained in their saddening experience by the hope that this lesson will be taken to heart by both the Parliament and the people of the Dominion."