THIEVING FROM ORCHARDS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16422, 16 January 1919, Page 4

THIEVING FROM ORCHARDS.

IO THE ZDITOR O* "THE FEIS3.'*

Sii - , —lt is generally agreed that the more use that is made of land, the better it is for the country. People living in or near towns sometimes do their best to . make use of whatever land is available, for fruit-growing, etc., and it is surely only rignt that sucti people should bo ensured the benefit ot their labour, both in justice to themselves and in the geneial interest.

The fruit-grower has lo contend against many risks—lrost, wind, insect, bird and fungoid, pests, and weeds. Having to somo extent coinbated these he must still submit (according apparently to the Jaw and to public opinion) to being robbed bv boys. {Stealing from orchards seems to be considered' a less offence than other forms of stealing, though it is difiicult to make out why. it is a general axiom in punishments that the more general the offence and the. more difiicult of detection, the greater should be the deterrent punishment when an offender can be brought to book, but many people seem to consider orcliard-robbiug rather a humorous proceeding, . and Magistrates, by their lcnicncy, appear to concur in this view.

It was mentioned some time ago that a young man Lad eudeavoured to protect his orchard by an arrangement of electric wires, but apparently it was lie who was officially blamed for this, not tlio thieves who had caused it to be done, even although a. danger notice had been put up. Fruit-growing is.an occupation that ought to be encouraged whether as a livelihood or as a spare time hobby, but there is not much encouragement, if, after all the trouble, one has to stay up all night in order to bo at hand to gently persuade boys not to thieve. To take the law into one's own hands is allowed to a great extent in cases of burglary. If it is not to be allowed in cases of stealing from the grounds round a liou.se, surely tho law itself might afford more protection. When a lVuit-stealer is caught, a thorough official whipping might take away the humorous aspect from the thief's point of view, or a heavy fine for the parents with further if they aro found in future neglecting to see that their progeny is* kept always either at work or at- home.—Yours, etc., SPADE. January loth.