DISPERSING CRIMINALS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 44, 15 November 1919, Page 9

DISPERSING CRIMINALS

NEW METHODS ADOPTED IN AUSTRALIA. It has ling been recognised that there exists in Melbourne a gang of criminals who havo been responsible for most of the more serious and daring crimes that, in tho eves of tho law, aro regarded as "undetected." but as to the perpetrators of which there has been no shadow of doubt in the minds of those responsible for their detection (says the "Argus"). Even when caught in circumstances which justify the officers of the law in confidently oxpecting that conviction ia practically certain, these well-known (criminals, by threats or bribes to tho jurymen, have evaded just punishment, and when the verdict "Not guilty" . is written anainst tho charge on which thev have been presented they leave tho court with an air of injured innocence, and aro thus freo to resume their career of crime. Though morally guilty, they, in a legal sense, leaving the court without a stain on their characters, So much has been written in condemnation of the (rial by jury system that little need be said of its iriefficacy,. but, if its abolition cannot bo accomplished, then the method by which a jury arrives at a decision' should bo altered. The present system compels the "12 gooo: men and true" to be unanimous before they can pronounce an accused guilty or innocent. which facilitates the operations of the professional "jurv squarer," who, in these circumstances, has only to "make sure" of cno man. If the democratic principle of 'majority rule, which governs tho most momentous questions that have to be decided by tho Parliaments of' the Commonwealth and Empire, were applied to juries, time and money, would bo saved, and no member of tho jury could bo singled out lor vengeance or bribery bv tho cainr of criminals who havo maoe this an important "branch" of their "business" during Tocent years. , When tho reorganisation of the police department was undertaken recently innumerable difficulties and' obstacles, which were due to the loose methods in vogue in tho police force for manv years, had to be overcome. In the task of tightening up the whole system it was found that when "gaol-birds" wero caged means were at hand, under the weakness of the jury system, of opening tho door of tho cage and freeing the captives. Though this was apparently an insurmountable barrier confronting the polico department, a way but lias been conceived, and it is pleasing to note that there is amplo evidence that during tho last two or three months several of the .well-known leaders of tho criminal element have quietly left Melbourne, and havo taken up residenco in certain adjoining States. Two of tlio most notorious aro known to have permanently settled in ono of the adjoining States, and have given indications that it is not their intention to return to Melbourne. This is tho immediate result of the adoption of new methods of dealing with criminals, some of whom the polico have not been fortunate enough to obtain convictions against, although they have had reason to feel that charges on which they have been presented would havo been successful. Tho Criminal Investigation Department under reorganisation is . -unquestionably displaying marked activity in tho direction of rooting out an olcment which hitherto has regarded itself ns bovond tho pale of tlio law. It is a fnct that for ifiany yearn past cprtain of thorn havo conducted their operations in perfect safety, and nothing fhort of some now methods was necessary in order to move them. These new methods appear now to be coming into activo operation, with satisfactory results. Tho period of convalescence depends upon the condition of the system, but it can be RhoTtened by talcing Oregon. Ceregen is ono of the finest foods known —it, directly benefits the nerves, strengthens muscle, nourishes tho body, and revitalises the entire human framo. When your body is in an impoverished state through sickness, take Ceregen rogularly. It is a Proleid-Phosphato Food, containing the essential nourishing elements tho nerves need. Ceregen is"British, and is sold by all New Zealand chemists. Price, 2s. Gd., 4s. Gd., Gs. Gd., 12s. Tho 12s. size contains 8 times amount of tho 2s. Gd. tin.—Advt.