THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881. OUR PENAL SYSTEM.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2265, 6 July 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 1881. OUR PENAL SYSTEM.

The remarks made by Ms Honor Judge Johnston on the opening day of the criminal session as to the inefficiency of our present penal system, deserves the utmost consideration at the hands of the Government. When one whose varied and lengthy experience in connection with the administration of justice entitles his opinion to the greatest possible weight, tells us in effect that, instead of being punishment, the imprisonment awarded is rather a pleasant retreat—a sort of recuperative establishment—it behoves ns to bestir ourselves to alter this state of things. His Honor says that not only are the sentences awarded undeterrent in their effect, but what is, if possible, more important, not reformatory. We have, therefore, this as the result of our penal system, that prisoners are committed to prison ostensibly to undergo punishment for crime, but that from the defects in the administration, this punishment fails utterly in its effect. Hardened offenders are mixed up with those but now in the ways of vice, and the result is that the latter, instead of starting afresh when they come out, plunge once more into crime, and thus a regular criminal class becomes organised. If onr penal establishments were so arranged as to permit not only of classification hut the separation of prisoners, this would bo prevented. Knowing, from the discharge of his judicial functions, how very inefficient as repressing crime our penal system is, it can scarcely be wondered at that his Honor should dwell at some length on the subject. Wo hope that his remarks will bear some practical frnit, and that the Government will set themselves earnestly to work to remedy what is admittedly an evil. Tear after year commissions have reported in the direction indicated by his Honor, hut fer some reason nothing has boon done. When wo consider not only tbo pernicious influence of an organised criminal class growing up amongst us, but the groat cost entailed upon the country by the existence of crime, the importance of ilie subject must become apparent. His Honor, therefore, deserves the thanks of the community for having drawn public attention to it, and it is to bo hoped that

his remarks will have that weight with the Government which they certainly are entitled to do. A PERMANENT CITY MARKET. We are glad to observe that Councillor Cuff has given notice of motion with regard to the desirableness of establishing a permanent city market. That a market is required has, we think, been amply proved by the success of what must be regarded only as an experiment. As wo pointed out in a former article on this subject, not only would a permanent market bo a great improvement to the city, but it would also to some extent prove a source of revenue. The site is one of the best iu Christchurch, and such a building as we should like to see erected thereon would fill up a gap which now has the effect of dividing the city into two parts. As to the cost, of course that is the allimportant item ; but from the fact that supposing £2OOO to be spent, it would be recouped certainly in two years, tbis need not enter largely into the consideration. Wo then Lave to consider the next point, viz., whether a necessity exists for such a building. This, wo think, is patent to any one. The present heterogenous collection of shanties certainly do not in any way improve the appearance of the part of Christchurch in which they are situated; and even if only on the consideration of improving and beautifying one of our most central sites, the ratepayers would do well to sanction it. But there are other reasons why this should be done. A recognised market is now an institution amongst us, and therefore it becomes the duty of our City Councillors to consider how this can ha arranged for so as to afford convenience both to the public and the occupants of the stalls. By erecting a building such as would cost about the sum mentioned, we feel sure the Council would confer a boon upon the public, and that they will, if the resolution is carried, have the support of the ratepayers in carrying it into practical effect. At present a very good rental can be obtained for the stalls in the temporary market, and we have no doubt, if the proposed permanent market is erected, at least £SOO per annum could be realised as rental, which would be a very good return on the money invested. We hope, therefore, that the resolution proposed by Cr. Cuff will be carried, and that steps will thereafter bo taken to have the building erected at the earliest possible period.