THE CRIMINAL LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1232, 9 October 1885, Page 3

THE CRIMINAL LAW AMENDMENT BILL.

This bill (says the ‘European Mail’), which was the cause of the ‘ Pali Mall Galette’s revelations, was finally disposed of in committee in the House of Commons on August 3, and though it is possible some alight alterations may be made when t e report is brought up, it now substantially embodies some very important changes in the existing law. At a different time and other circumstances these than jus, great and important though they are. would not have attracted as much attention as at present, an? even now it is possible, when the present excitement has passed away,that the effects which in its operation it wid p odnee will seem sadly incommensurate with the anticipations formed by its most sanguine advocates. The House of Commons has, on the whole, acted wiih prudence in dealing with its various proviso ns, and declining to be guided by the hysterical counsels of individuals who believe that an act of Parliament can revolutionise human nature. The protection of children from defilement, even with their consent, up t > the age of 13 years is a step in die right direction, aud no objec.ion can be taken to making the seduction of girls between that age and 16 a misdemeanour Some would have extended the age to IS. whilst other enthusiasts in the supposed interests wmill have raised it to 21 years ; nut the goo I sense of the House of Commons prevented the commission of either of these blunders. A provision in the bill which makes the seduction of a woman or girl, if effected under a false or fraudulent pretence, felon v is of very doubtful expediency, ami will probably lead to consequences not antif-i----pated by the framers of this clause. Tbe nature of the false pretence is nos snee.ilied, and as the clause stand it seems sutfi neatly elastic to cover any inducement which is not absolutely founded on fact. One of the results will probably be that criminal, in stead of civil, proceedings will be taken for seduction and the jury will be asked to find a verdict on evidence which will in many cases be almost exclusively furnished by the complainant A proposal to permit children who had been outraged to give evidence otherwise than on oath in the event of their inability to understand the nature of an oath was rejected by a very narrow majority, and it is possible that on the report of the bill another attempt will be made to introduce this innovation. A new clause was added to the bill, providing that persons accused of offences under this act, and their husbands aud wives, if they are married, shall be. c impotent witnesses if they voluntarily tendered themselves for examination. Clauses were also introduced providing the means of searching for girls believed to be unlawfully detained for immoral purposes, and also for the punishment of those who, by menaces or other wise, seek to prevent a woman or girl quit ting a house in which she is detained against her will.