RIOT OFFENDERS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20609, 27 July 1932, Page 3

RIOT OFFENDERS.

TRANSFER TO PRISON CAMPS. j ili'.KSl ASSOCIATION Tr.LBGKAit.; j WELLINGTON, July -20. i Mr J.I. E. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, has had a. number of interviews with tbe Minister for Justice, regarding the men sentenced in connexion with the recent unemployment disturbances in the main centres and also in connexion with the distribution of literature alleged to be in advocacy of violence. Mr Holland's representations wero mainly for a review of the wholo of the sentences, but during his recent stay in Auckland he visited a number of'men in Mount Eden Prison, and on his return lo Wellington ho placed certain requests before the Minister regarding the treatment of imprisoned men. He has now received the following letter from thm Hon. J. G. Cobbe:—"

"With reference to your representations regarding prisoners sentenced in connexion with the recent riots and labour disturbances at Auckland,' I am advised by tho Controller-General ot Prisons that arrangements have been made for the majority of the prisoners sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment to be transferred to the prison farm camps at llangipo, Hautu, and Waikune.

"Although it is not practicable to keep offenders, convicted in connexion "with riots entirely apart from other prisoners, ear© is exercised to prevent contamination through harmful association with tho more undesirable class of criminals. Educational facilities are provided for prisoners and those desirous of pursuing economic studies are permitted to do so, but literature of an ultra radical or revolutionary nature

is not permitted."