PRESS COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1928, Page 7

PRESS COMMENT

Since 1920 a Royal Commission lias been inquiring into certain Maori grievances, more especially in connection with the confiscation of native lands after the wars. The Commissioner’s report contains conclusions and recommendations of a far-reaching and impressive character. The report is in one sense a severe indictment of our dealings with the Maoris in the past. But in its evident desire to do justice to the native race, and to repair past wrongs, it accords admirably with the best traditions of British rule; and we congratulate the Prime Minister on the sympathetic and generous tone of his reception of the report.—■ Auckland “Star.”

It would be a great relief if motor horns were not sounded between, say, midnight and eight in the morning and with that victory achieved it might be possible dp something about the excessive horn-sounding that takes place by day. Except in cases of emergency it is doubtful if a good deal of tbe horn-sounding that goes on has any effect but to annoy people who are not driving and encourage speed and carelessness in those who are. In any case there are horns and horns, and if some kind must be used they need not be the limit for noise and stridency.— “Press,Christchurch.

A case was heard yesterday in the Children’s Court, Christchurch, which will confirm the impression that a measure designed to save children from becoming criminals is in fact being used to save adult criminals from a deserved penalty of crime, publicity. A man who, on bis counsel’s admission, had a very bad list ol convictions, had made use of a boy to steal a sum of money, which was then divided between them. Ihe fact that the boy was involved, though it made the man’s offence worse, brought the criminal before the Children’s Court, and led automatically to the suppression of his name. There is no reason why criminals who, because children are witnesses against them or have been made to share in their offences, appear before the Children’s Court should, not automatically be referred, on conviction, to the Magistrate’s or a higher Court for sentence.—The “Sun” Christchurch.