The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. Flogging Larrikins.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 671, 24 June 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. Flogging Larrikins.

TOWN EDITION. [lssued at 4.40 p. n*. j

The fact that the Offences Against the Person Act Amendment Bill has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives should be matter lor congratulation. We certainly regard the matter in this light, although the second reading of the measure was not carried without the bitter opposition of the “ mawkish sentimentalists,” of whom Sir George Grey declared himself to be one. The Bill appears to have met with the disfavor of the latter party, chiefly because it contemplates the whipping of larrakins ; and several honorable members including the veteran Sir George—waxed eloquent on the “ moral degradation ” the use of the cat would entail upon the chastised —as if the wretches who delight in destroying property and inflicting suffering upon harmless and inoffensive persons, including, in many cases, helpless women, had not reached the lowest state of “ moral degradation” attainable by human beings ! Away with such false and ridiculous philanthrophy. The larrikin is a brute, and must be treated brutally; he shows no mercy, and should be shown none.

Fine and imprisonment he snaps his fingers at. They are nothing, but all his indifference vanishes before the prospect of a little of that bodily punishment he has so mercilessly dealt out to others. The Bill may need amendment, but it is sincerely to be hoped that it will become law.