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Hokitika Guardian, 16 March 1926, Page 2

AVf. have loot yet caught up with America in some desirable things, but it trill be as well to look to our laws, so that we never catch up to her in murders. In Cook County, in which Chicago stands, gu'ninen killed 296 persons in the first 291 days of last year. Motor accidents, by the way, led to 621 deaths. One of the chief factors in the serious crime statistics of the United States. declares a writer who has given long and careful study to the question, is the growing maudlin sympathy for criminals, the release of hardened offenders on parole, the <Hfficulty of convicting murderers, the long delays between

arrest and conviction, and between conviction and appeal, which give time for the disappearance or “squaring” of witnesses. If a man believes that an 'incorruptible and unsentimental jury will send him to gaol for burglary with a recommendation that lie should have no remission of his sentence, or that he should he declared an habitual criminal, burglary would cease to iioursih. If the young offender did not reckon on the shocking mis-applientions of the first of-

fenders clause he would be less liable to begin a career of crime. Leniency to crime, and the sympathy for the

poor murderer in the Tinted States, has had the result of causing a murder a. day by shooting alone in Chicago. The motor-car and the pistol are the tnols-of-tradc of the burglar and gunman. There should be no need for

any citizen to carry pistols. Heavier sentences for the folk who “borrow” motor-cars from the kerb would also help. Our crime statistics are good by comparison, and wo must keep them so.

Those who found fault with the result of the Westland election petition will take comfort probably in the fact that the Lyttelton election petition last week wits decided on the principles laid down at the Westland hearing. Justice therefore ran its course as usual, despite the criticisms of those fretful ones who believed the

Court was prejudiced against Labor. Indeed tilt 1 counsel for the Labor candidate at the Christchurch hearing felt quite tit his ease in quoting the Westland ease, for he no doubt, expert its lie is. recognised not only the justice. but also the wisdom of the Court in the principles laid down. Tlk* Lyttelton case was analogous with the Westland" case in that some irregularities were akin, which goes to show that human nature is very much the same in all parts of the world. 'lhe

lesson of the occasion, is as was remarked before, that candidates should avoid Close linishcs. When a neck and neck result occurs, it is difficult to foretell the end for irregularities are sure to he discovered, and it is hard to sav how they will be unravelled. The irregularities in both the elections were all honest ones. Electors found themselves on a particular roll, and thev remained there. The folk, ii

some instances <litl not, follow the propel' eniir.se in determining their stit Ills ns thoroughly as they might, mill where they lost votes through neglect the effect rchoumicil upon one or other of the candidates. Once mnr; are the vagaries of elections demonstrated.