PENAL REFORM LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19142, 27 October 1927, Page 12

PENAL REFORM LEAGUE.

The third annual meeting of the Christchurch branch of the Howard League for Penal Reform was held on Tuesday," tho president Mr R. M. Laing, presiding. The chairman emphasised that the League was not a sentimentalist movement, but a League for the scientific investigation of crime and an endeavour to reduce crime. The annual report stated that five newbranches of tho Leaguo had been formed during the past year, making a total of nine in the Dominion. Their efforts had been concentrated on securing reforms in the care and treatment of the feeble-minded, and in this connexion a draft Bill was being prepared. 1 Tho question of tho proper manner of (teal-, ing with cases of senility had also been carefully considered, and the matter was now receiving the attention of the authorities concerned. The League had also acted! in sorao measure as an "after care" organisation for released prisoners. Strong representation had been made in the matter of the conduct of children's Courts. The report was adopted. The following officers were elected:—President, Mr R., Jt. Laing; vice-presidents, the Mayor (Rev. J. K. Archer) and Binhop Brodie; secretary, Mr C. R. N. Mackie; treasurer. Mrs Mackie; council. Rev. F, R. Rawle, Messrs A. H. Patterson, and A. W. Page, Misses Baughan, Jean Frame, E. Hunt, and Montgomery, and the other offlceri.