PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1928, Page 2

PRESS COMMENT

Imprisonment is almost inevitably productive of deterioration in the individual. The prevention of such a result is a social advantage and an economic precaution. The offender who is admitted to probation is given a chance to prove that be lias in him the makings of a good citizen, and. as a rule, he profits by the clemency that is extended to him. It is reported that in England and Wales only about 7 per cent of those who receive the mercies of the probation system have to appear for judgment. Tile proportion would appear to be very much the same in New Zealand where the system lias been in operation for forty years. At the commencement of the year I!)2<>-27 there were 120 d persons on probation in this country; 7<>4 were admitted to probation during the year, making a total of and of this number only 14(5 failed ; to comply with the probationary requirements.—" Otago Daily Times.”

The number of industrial disputes has rapidly increased in the past few years, and the usual method of settlement is b.v compulsion of the worker. The ideal of the “workers” control of industry,” it is finally declared, has never been so far from realisation as now. When it is considered that the chief author of this indictment was one of the actual originators of the revolution. and that he has ever since been a leading figure in its counsels, even its most ardent supporter must fain confess that Communism can no longer lie regarded as an instrument for bringing about a “workers’ paradise.” That it lias utterly failed lias, of course, been evident for a long time to all unprejndicia! minds. Trotsky still professes himself a communist. Rut when even he is forced to such admissions as those above, the failure must he evident to the prejudiced also.— “ Wanganui Chronicle,®