MINISTER REPLIES

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1931, Page 5

MINISTER REPLIES

TO HOWARD LEAGUE CRITIC. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 23. In view of the fact unit He La, Mere is not only a prominent member or the Howard League, but also a member of tno University benate and tnei’e neing a possibility that his criticism might bu taKen too senousiy and convey an erroneous impression, the Minister oi Justice saw fit to make a statement to reporter to-day, in which lie replies caiegoricaily to a number of De La Mere’s statements at the Howard League meeting.

The Munster points out that the system of reformative detention has now been in \ ogue for twenty years and less than twenty-five per cent oi the persons so sentenced nave again been in trouble. Since the Borstal Act was -passed in 1924 only twelve per cent, of the young persons' released, had again been in conflict with tlid laww.

These results are ahead of anything in the world. A responsible Home Office official on a recent tour into penal administrations of the Dominions and America, stated he was envious or our system, and we had nothing to learn from England. In respect to our Borstal system it was as absurd as untrue to say no trades were taught. There were thirty tradesmen instructors on the staff , and several voluntary instructors visited the institutions,

The Minister defends the Prisons Board as an absolutely impartial body horn the very personnel, being presided over by a judge of the Supreme Court and the membership comprising reputable persons experienced in law. medicine, psychiatry, criminology, and social, and with a good understanding of human nature.