PROVINCIALISM AND CRIME.

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2787, 23 January 1872, Page 2

PROVINCIALISM AND CRIME.

(From the Lyttelton Times.) Mr Justice Kichmond is of opinion that if the criminal classes were properly dealt with, their numbers might be very largely decreased. He recognises the existence of various obstacles in the way of attaining so desirable an end, “among which might be named the local jealousies which existed in New Zealand.” Again, he said that “ Provincialism, in some respects, was no doubt an excellent thing, but one of its drawbacks was, that it tended to prevent any united attempt being made for the suppression of crime.” In common with the Colonist we are at a loss to understand what Mr Justice Richmond meant by “ local jealousies ” and cannot see in what way Provincialism has tended to prevent united efforts for the suppression of crime. We infer that the local jealousies alluded to have something to do with providing a ceip

tral penal establishment, or establishments, for the whole Colony, but in this we may be wrong. If the Judge means that crime cannot be properly dealt with in the absence of such an establishment, we heartily agree with him, but we are unable to perceive how local jealousies, supposing them to exist, have prevented the erection of a central prison, or prisons, with all the proper appliances. The General Government has never shown itself very much in earnest about the matter, unless we are to accept the appointment of a commission as a sufficient discharge of their duties in this respect. Had the Assembly been asked to consider the subject, and to make proper provision, we have no doubt the Government would have received authority for the necessary expenditure. We are still more puzzled when we come to inquire how Provincialism has operated in the way mentioned by Mr Justice Richmond. So far as we know, the Provincial Governments of the Middle Island have worked cordially together in all matters relating to the detection and punishment of criminals, and we must therefore come to the conclusion that Mr Justice Richmond agrees with those who think the police of the Colony ought to be under the control of the General Government. If such is is opinion, and there are other indications besides those wo have noted that it is, we can only say that centralism of this kind appears to us a mistake. Indeed, we go so far as to think it absolutely essential that the police should be controlled by the local authorities. The experience of other countries strongly favors this view, and wo think the General Government would be acting unwisely if they attempted to interfere radically with existing arrangements, as far as the Middle Island is concerned. The same rule, however, does not apply to the North Island. On the contrary, there are special and obvious reasons why the General Government should possess the power of control and why there should be no other Police force than the Armed Constabulary.