DIED IN PRISON.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1740, 3 May 1913, Page 10

DIED IN PRISON.

Sir,—ln'your valuable paper I read with shamo anil astonishment the report of tho inquest on tlm man Alfred Britis, who died in gaol, far gone in eonsumption, which was tho causo of his death. Just fancy a man .witb such a complaint lying in a cold -unfurnished cell at this time of the year; no attendance, having to conform to gaol regulations; sweeping his own cell, malting up his miserable lied,-and partaking, if ho could, of coarso gaol diet and in all probability to do what work ho could. No rest for this afflicted individual. Tho man had as you may my committed no crime—simply sold a little grog to make a living. We could not expect worse treatment in Turkey or Russia; yet this occurred under tho so-called la-st of humanity, civilisation and, justice in "God's Own Country," New Zealand.

In tho Mother Country the Suffragettes, who havo committed gross criminal crimes auoli as arson, and attempts to destroy human life, if they are taken ill during their terra of imprisonment,' are either discharged or sent t{> a public hospital, where they are medically treated, and receive every care and attention from trained and skilled nurses. It is to bo hoped and trusted that the present Government will issue orders that in future, should any prisoner bo taken seriously ill with an incurable complaint, that he be sent to a public hospital for treatment. This, sir, is what society, humanity, and civilisation demands—l am, etc., J. A. DRURY. Dannevirke, May 1, 1913.