JUSTICE OR INJUSTICE!

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2549, 25 August 1915, Page 10

JUSTICE OR INJUSTICE!

Sir,—ln these" stirring times we are quite accustomed to'read of "mail's inhumanity to man" in tho war- theatre. Here, at any rate, we expect tho opposite. I fool, sir, constrained to protest against the severe and harsh sentence imposed upon a man for tho theft of a pcruud and a quarter of butter' (value Is. lid) tho property of the New Zealand Government, at Trehtham, last week. It ,was stated that several thefts had been committed by other individuals, and the Magistrate (Mr.. D. G. A. Cooper) singled this case out as a warning, and an oxample. I liave the highest respect for our Magistrate aiid those in authority, and' am well aware of the powers vested in them, but in this case I question, tho wisdom of the Magistrate in not tempering justice with mercy. Tho man was arrested, his name published in the Press, and also in the prison records, and on top of this, one month in gaol. Tho Magistrate is quite right in making an example of- an offender ajjainst the law, but my contention is that a line, together with a warning and 6oma good advico, would liave been sufficient punishment. Harsh treatment does not 'always produce the best results. This case, to my mind, sir, is. a clear proof of how wo are manufacturing; criminals in New Zealand —the very thing our Justice Department should guard against. This case may be allowed by our Justice Department to pass by, but as a citizen I desire to enter a protest against such a severe sentence being imposed. It is a ease that the authorities might well renew and mitigate tho sentence and thus "temper justice with mercy."—l a-ra, otc., A. R. HORNBLOW. Wellington South. P.S.—Some years ago a friend of mine and another J.P. wore called upon' to adjudicate in an assault case. The latter J.P. had made up his mind to sentence'the accused to three months. "Pardon me," said my friend, "allow me to deal with this case," with tho result, instead of three months, a £5 iine was inflicted, and a' fortnight in which to pay the amount; also good advice to the offender. Ke6ult: The man became a good citizen, and at the samo time was not branded as a criminal.