H.—2o.

attachment of a judgment debt for breach of award, provides for the attachment of wages not already earned, by periodical deductions as they become payable, and, further, abrogates the Wages Protection Act to the extent that it permits attachment of a single man's wages over and above £1 per week. Proceedings under the Imprisonment for Debt Limitation Act are, however, prohibited. In England the attachment of wages does not appear to find much favour. The Wages Attachment Abolition Act, 1870, abolishes attachment of wages " of any servant, labourer or workman," but under certain special Acts, such, for instance, as the Poor Law Act, attachment is permissible. In Scotland, where there is no such thing as imprisonment for civil debt, apparently attachment of wages is commonly resorted to for the recovery of debts. It has been pointed out that in Scotland, although the number of affiliation and maintenance orders is not low, yet the number of men sent to prison under them is exceedingly low compared with England. This difference is explained by the fact that in Scotland the Court may attach the man's wages in excess of 355. a week. The Fischer Williams Committee, it is stated, impressed by this contrast between the two countries, advocated a similar power in England of having deductions made from wages. The recommendation was confined to maintenance and affiliation cases, and did not include fines. The recommendation has not been given effect to. It was urged that it would be an advantage if all classes of payments which are ordered by Magistrates could be collected " at the source," and that such a system would sweep away what is almost the sole reason for non-payment —viz., the inability of people earning weekly wages and small salaries to amass lump sums, or even set aside adequate weekly ones, unless they can be collected before there has been a chance to spend them. Such a system, it has been urged, when once got working, would render it possible not merely to lessen imprisonment for non-payment of moneys, but to wipe it off the statute-book and abolish all forms of it altogether. The obstacle to such a system at present, it was stated by the Committee, is the opposition of the trade-unions, who are profoundly suspicious of any suggestion to intercept wages, although it was contended that, unawares, " they are standing right across the line of penological progress." Conclusion. I desire to place on record the Department's appreciation of the help given by a large band of voluntary helpers in connection with the in-care and after-care work. In this connection I desire specially to mention the Women's Borstal Association, the Prisoners' Aid Societies, and the Probation Committees. The Department is also deeply grateful to the clergymen and missioners of the various religious denominations, and the officers of the Salvation Army, and others who regularly visit the institutions to minister to the spiritual well-being of the prisoners. In New Zealand the whole of the religious work is undertaken on a voluntary basis, and often the ministers have to travel great distances, and take their services at considerable personal inconvenience. Thanks are also extended to the Rotary Clubs, Workers' Educational Associations, and others who have given their time in providing lectures and arranging cultural entertainments for the inmates. The Wellington Justices' Association have maintained their sympathetic interest in the inmates of the institutions in the Wellington District, and in dependants in specially necessitous circumstances. The report of the Inspector of Prisons is attached hereto, and shows that the equipment is maintained in a satisfactory condition, that the conduct and industry generally have been good, and that the number of complaints from prisoners has been comparatively few. I desire to express my appreciation of the loyal and intelligent co-operation of the staff both at Head Office and at the various institutions. B. L. Dallard, Controller-General of Prisons.

The Chief Inspector of Prisons and Borstals to the Controller-General. Sir, — I have the honour to submit my report for the year 1935-36 regarding the inspection of the Prisons and Borstal institutions under the control of the Department. At intervals throughout the year the larger prisons and Borstal institutions were inspected, and the minor prisons and certain Police gaols when opportunity offered. On the occasion of these visits the buildings and works were inspected and all inmates given the customary facilities, in terms of the regulations, to interview me regarding any matter affecting their detention or treatment. Where necessary, inquiries have been held into occurrences reported by officers or prisoners, and special reports furnished to you. Complaints by prisoners or Borstal inmates regarding their treatment were comparatively few in number, and nothing of a serious nature was reported. A considerable number of applications for transfer to prison camps and country institutions were received from men in detention in town prisons, and recommendations for the removal of suitable men to the former institutions have been submitted from time to time. In this connection, owing to the greatly diminished prison population, the selection of prisoners for camps and prison farms presents greater difficulties than has been experienced since camps were originally opened. Although the greatest care is taken in the selection of suitable men, a small percentage fail to appreciate the healthy and comparatively free life of ā camp or prison farm and cause considerable trouble and

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