H.—2o.

" It was clear from the evidence of those witnesses who have had experience in the practice of psycho-therapy that even if it is practicable to select from the offenders appearing before the Courts those who appear to be suitable for psychological treatment, the need will still remain for subjecting to punishment those who fail to benefit by such treatment. 'It seems to the offender,' said one witness, ' not worth while being cured of a tendency which, however unpleasant to others, nevertheless affords pleasure to himself. Hence, he lacks incentive to co-operate in treatment or may even have an incentive not to do so. Hence, it is that the deterrent influence of punishment, either actual or threatened, proves so useful.' " Moreover it was recognized that punishment is necessary not merely for the sake of deterring the particular offender, but for the sake of deterring others from following his example. One witness,himself a medical-psychologist, put the matter thus : ' Psychologists tend to ignore the major social function of the penal system, but they should be reminded that the community is entitled to the first claim and the individual only to the second. The business of the psychologist is merely to point out methods that are just and that may be fruitful in the individual case, provided that such methods are compatible with the wider interests of society.' " We do not agree with the view that crime is a disease, or that it is generally the result of mental disorder. . . It is quite impracticable, and we believe generally unnecessary to examine the mental condition of all adults who appear before a court on a criminal charge. But of course the mental condition of an offender may be an all-important consideration in deciding upon the appropriate method of dealing with him. We know that a large number of persons who have been proved to the satisfaction of the Court to be guilty of the offence with which they are charged are remanded for examination into their mental condition ; but we do not consider full advantage is taken always of the existing facilities for doing so. It is probable that only a small proportion of such cases will be found suitable for psychological treatment, but this consideration should not deter Courts from remanding the offender if his family and personal history and the circumstances of the case suggest a psychological investigation is desirable. In districts where reputable clinics are established it may be possible for a Court to obtain the advice of the medical officer attached to the clinic as to the value of psycho-therapy in individual cases, without the necessity of remanding the offender in custody for the purpose." General. In conclusion, I desire again to place on record appreciation of the help given by the various Prisoners' Aid Societies, the Voluntary Probation Committees, the Salvation Army, and others who have assisted in after-care work. The Department is also indebted to the many voluntary helpers who have given assistance in connection with the education, moral training, and entertainment of persons committed to its care. To the clergymen and representatives of the various religious denominations who have regularly visited the institutions and striven, through the moral precepts of religious teaching, to stimulate higher ideals of citizenship and duty, the Department expresses its gratitude. Thanks are also extended to the Workers' Education Association, members of the Howard League, and others who have given of their time in providing lectures, &c. Through regular visits to the various institutions, the Visiting Justices and Official Visitors have contributed helpfully in maintaining contentnent and discipline. The Federation of Justices have co-operated in a friendly way, and the Wellington Justices Association has been liberal in assisting in necessitous cases and in contributing to schemes for the social betterment of the local institutions. The high standard of efficiency that has been maintained throughout the year, notwithstanding that the heavy influx of prisoners accentuated the administrative difficulties, has been due mainly to the loyal co-operation of the staffs both at Head Office and at the various institutions. The discipline of the prisoners has been uniformly good and their general conduct satisfactory. B. L. D ALL ART), Controller-General of Prisons.

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