The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1604, 10 April 1879, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879.

His Worsrio the Mayor proposes this evening to iseortain the viows of tho residents of Christchurch respecting tho moving of tlio noxt session of Parliament to this city As it would bo a groat pity that his Vcrship should not grasp tho full beariigs of tho case boforo ho asconds tin platform, and as wo have been unablt to discover by his lato utterances ;hat he lias tho faintest inkling of the roal conditions under whicli tho Bsolution on which he builds his hopes was passed, wo will take upon ourselves tomlighton him on tho subject. On the 29tt of Octobor last, hard on tho closo of tlo session, tho Government was, as is oten tho caso, anxious to hurry into Comintteo of Supply. It is a established practico in Parliamentary Govornmon l that, on entering into Committee of Supply, so long as there is a motion bofovo tho House, tho committee cannot commenco. If, however, ono singlo motion is negatived, then all further motions an barred, and the business of Supply proceeds. On tho occasion in question tiere woro several members who wished to bring forward motions and tho Govornmrat, wishing to frustrate their intentions, hit on a notable plan. They put up tie energetic membor for Oamaru, with a notion for transferring tho noxt session cf Parliament to Christchurch, being coifidont that tho motion would have no chanco of passing, and that in consopionco tho general business of the Homo would proceed. But "ho who roclons without bis host reckons twico," aid a number of members who wished tc soo other matter discussed, unexpectedly gave their votes for Mr. Shrimskis resolution, not with tho philanthropise intention of conferriug a most doubtful benefit on Christehurch, but with the view of enabling other matter to bo introduced into tho debate. In consecpience of tho action of those members, tho resohtion was passed amidst considerable laughtor. Our worthy Mayor appears tc be quite unacquainted with tho circumstances we have just narrated. If he had taken tho trouble to inquire into facts of tho case, ho could easily havo found out that the resolution was not a hona-fiih ono, but a mere episode in Parliamentary warfare.

His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston on the occasion of the opening of the Criminal Sessions referred from the Bench to the facilities afforded for tho commission of crime by tho readiness with which cheques aro cashed by tradespeople. This session affords a very striking proof of the necessity of more caution being observed, inasmuch as, in one of the cases in tho calendar, no less than nine cheques were passed by the prisoner. It is alleged by those in business that a great deal of tho financial operations in colonial towns is conducted by means of chequos, and that it would bo a loss to them in their business to refuse to take them fvom unknown customers. But we would point out that if all those engaged in trade made it a rule not to take choqxxos unless thoy woro satisfiod aa to their genuineness there would be no individual loss. In larger cities, such as Melbourne or Sydney, far grcator care is exorcised in this respect, and therefore the crime of forgery is not by any moans so rife, comparod with tho population, as it is here. It must bo romombered that not only is there individual loss by the facility afforded for tho cashing of cheques, but that the country also suffers. Tho community is put to the cost of a prosecution, and also of tho maintenance of the criminal when convicted for a period of years. Thus all are interested in placing such barriers in the way of tho commission of this crime as will materially reduce the chance of its success. It must also be remembered that tho present lax system places in the way of tho evil disposed a temptation which it is hard to resist. It is, comparatively, so easy to obtain money by this means, and so few questions are asked, if indeed any at all, that, as a crime, it is peculiarly enticing. The very fact that a man quite unknown here could obtain money for no less than nine forged cheques, shows how perfunctory any enquiries are, even when they are made. In tho majority of cases, evon when both drawer and presenter of tho cheque are unknown, no stops aro taken towards testing the genuineness of tho forged choquo, although it is true that in tho case referred to some precautions were taken. The result of all this is that wo find our calendar each session containing numerous cases of forgery. And so it will bo until tradesmen distinctly refuse to take cheques from persons unknown to them unless satisfiod by good and reliable evidence that they aro genuino. It is very easy to send the chequos to tho bank and ascertain their value. As long as tho present state of affairs obtains and facilities aro given for tho obtaining of money by any one who chooses to present a choquo, it is almost useless for Judges to attempt to repress tho crime of forgery. Thoy may give sovoro sentoncos, but criminals will always bo found ready to run tho risk of detection.