STRIKE AT THE ROOT.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 15

STRIKE AT THE ROOT.

Sir, —In. tli© columns of your paper of appears an article on the treating of inenrfates on the islands of Pakatoa and Roto Roa at Auckland, and in which it states that Mr. Herdman, the Minister of Justice, proposes to bring down legislation in the coming session to deal drastically with the inmates of those institutions, and to treat them more like prisoners who have offended against the law. As regards other prisoners I have not much to take exception to, beoaus© I recognise the fact that the strong arm of the law keeps law and order and preserves personal safety, but with regard to the persons both male and female who are kept on the two islands to which I have already referred, I most certainly take exception, seeing that they come under quite a different category altogether. Mr. Editor, I would like to ask the question right here: Are not the two institutions of which I speak the effect of a certain trade, and without which there would not be the need for such places as Pakatoa and Roto Roa, and which to my mind is a disgrace to our fair Dominion? Why does not Mr. Herdman, as a member of the Reform Government, move in the direction of giving the people tho oneman value vote in order that the people shall have an opportunity of 6aymg on the bare majority franchise whether there shall be any liquor sold? Talking about reform, I hold, sir, that is the first plank in Reform platform—to abolish as far as possible liquor trade, and then there would not be any need for legislation to deal with such places. At any rate, a great number of the poor unfortunate creatures which are at Pakatoa and Roto Roa are more to be pitied than blamed, for in many cases it has become a disease with them, and should be treated more as hospital patients than criminals. If we really aim at altering the conditions, strike at tho cause and there will not exist fcho disgraceful eyesore which the Minister of Justice proposes to deal with. Thanking you for the space in your columns, and hoping that some abler pen will take the matter up, —I am, etc., J. GRACIE. Auckland.