CRIME OF MURDER

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 23, 27 July 1945, Page 9

CRIME OF MURDER

QUESTION IN HOUSE

DEATH PENALTY ABOLITION

Mr. Speaker was emphatic that a question asked by Mr. R. M. Algie (National, Remuera) in association with other Opposition members in the House of Representatives yesterday concerning the abolition of capital punishment was in order when it was queried by Mr. T. H. McCombs (Government, Lyttelton). Mr. McCombs raised a point of order on the ground that the first part of the question contained an expression of opinion contrary to the Standing Orders.

The text of the question, notice of which Mr. Algie, in conjunction with Mr. T. C. Webb (National, Kaipara) and Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (National. Waitomo) gave to the Minister of Justice was as follows:—"Having regard to the distressing frequency with which the crime of murder is being committed in this Dominion, and in view of the fact that women and young children are too often the victims of these horrible outrages: (1) Has the Government—since the abolition of the provision for capital punishment—taken any positive and constructive steps for the adequate protection of human life? (2) If so, what is the precise nature of the action thus taken? (3) If the answer to the first question is in the negative, is the Government entirely satisfied that the existing .deterrents are sufficiently effective for all practical and reasonable purposes?"

Immediately Mr. McCombs raised the point of order, Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Central Otago) joined issue with him. There was a big difference, Mr. Bodkin submitted, between an expression of opinion and a fact that was well known and which was capable of proof by statistics. In this case it was not a matter of opinion.

"As a matter of fact I passed the question," said Mr. Speaker (the Hon, F, W. Schramm). "I rule that the question can be put." There were fewer cases of the type referred to in the question than in the past, commented the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) after the question had beenput. "No expression of opinion," quickly retorted Mr. Algie amid' laughter.