DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 113, 25 February 1950, Page 4

DEATH SENTENCE FOR MURDER

REINTRODUCTION POSSIBLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL’S VIEW (P.A.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Feb. 24. An indication given to-day by the Attorney-General (Mr T. C. Webb) that the Government intended to restore capital and cor? poral punishment in serious cases was substantiated this evening by the Prime Minister (Mr S. G. Holland). “The statement of the AttorneyGeneral is correct. It represents the National Party policy as presented to the electors,” said Mr Holland.' Drafting of the legislation has not yet begun, he said. In that draft there would be a definition of what constituted appropriate cases, but the prerogative of mercy would continue to remain with the Crown. “If these murders go on and these men are allowed to live I feel a stage will be reached where public conscience will be so outraged that the public will take the law into their own hands,” said Mr Webb, who had been asked for his views on the proposed reintroduction of capital and corporal punishment. Mr Webb said that it was the first time he had made such a statement, but such was his view. Quoting the case of the Mount Victoria murder, Mr Webb said there were some people who would have gone torn the murderer to pieces. The man would probably be released from prison by the time he was 40 under the present system of punishment. Mr Webb also quoted other cases where the reintroduction of the death penalty and corporal punishment would have met the circumstances. r / “You can take it from me,” Mr Webb added, “that the Government intends to restore capital and corporal punishment in serious cases in accord with its election policy.” During the coming session of Parliament a bill will be introduced to put the necessary legislation on the Statute Book. The National Party policy of allowing members a free vote on the subject would be carried out. Statistics gave no evidence in support or against the reintroduction of capital punishment, continued the At-torney-General. “I myself am satisfied that the restoration of capital punishment will be a step in the right direction. I have a feeling that nothing but ‘fear of the gallows’.will deter some men from taking life.”