NOTES AND COMMENTS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 102, 25 January 1943, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS

IVhat seems to be a prevalent idea that first: offenders are given lhe benefit of probation as a matter of course lias been dispelled by Mr. J. L. Stout. S.M.. in comment from tlie Bench. If that were the case, he observed, it would lie. rather an incitement to crime. 'The Court in this connexion was dealing witli a case of theft, and tlie point for the community to take particular note of was tlie magistrate's robust conception of the responsibility of the law and its duty to the public in tlie protection of property. Where crime was becoming epidemic, he pointed out, sentences must, in .addition to being a punishment, be also a deterrent. The increasing prevalence of crimes against, property, accompanied by a wave of petty pilfering, has already been the subject of comment. Mr. Stout regards the position as becoming “increasingly serious.” What is needed is a .salutary i-heck. If education and family influences can do but little to arrest degenera ling tendencies —as. unfortunately, it would seem —the Courts at least, can exercise their powers in an effective disciplinary spirit. It is to lie hoped that this magistrate's very straight hint will have its effect upon individuals who engage in pilfering activities encouraged by the mistaken belief llial al Hie worst they will got probation when caught and convicted for tlie first, lime and cause them to pause and reflect upon tlie possibility of more serious consequences.

Returns issued by tlie New Zealand Meal Board, covering killing ojicrations for Hie first, three months of the current production year, afford evidence of lhe fact Unit lhe season opened witli reduced activity. The decrease of over GllO.Otlt) carcases of lamb, as compared with the corresponding period of 1911-12 is heavy and may in part have been due to dry weather condil ions in some disl riels. The lambs were not so well forward as usual and deliveries lo Ibe works were delayed. Increases in tin.' number of ewes killed wore more than offset, by I hr? decrease recorded in wethers. There may be very heavy pressure on the works during the next month or two. for the lambing is said lo have been excellent and flocks generally have been maintained al. a high level. There has been a substantial increase in Hie beef section of Ibe industry, indicating that tlie stock came through tlie winter in good condition, hula decline of 92,000 bead in lhe number of pigs killed must be attributed to lhe dairy industry’s change-over in 1911-12 iroin bolter lo cheese. Willi lhe (•liange-btiek lliis season probably ninny farmers will resume lhe breeding of pigs, bill in 1911 lhe total number of breeding sows declined by over 9000, null tlie niovenienl would have been more iniirked lasi. year. The slow comiiioiieemeni. made in the killing son<ou may mean a rush of stock lalor, in,'iking it more essential than ever that Ilians should be ready fur niaiiniiig lhe works, as required, in order to ensure I he maximum output