MURDERS IN N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 October 1933, Page 6

MURDERS IN N.Z.

(Per Press Association, Copyright).

AN INCREASE IN NUMBERS,

(Per Prtss Association r Copyright.)

October 24

At one time in New Zealand charges of murder ■ were rare,,,..hut in recent years they had become not uncommon, said Mr Justice Herd man, when .addressing the grand jury to-day.

‘lit is difficult to account for the change. Why should men have, less hesitation in destroying human life than they used to have?” He did.not think the war, or the present difficult times, or the increasing population was the cause.

<J one does know that, when a ..murder was committed years ago, and there was no definite proof of imbecility, it was expected that the convicted person would be executed, but in these days when a person is convicted, the expectation is in the contrary direction. Instead of expecting that a man will he executed for the murder, it is generally considered probable that capital punishment will not follow the sheeting home of the prisoner’s misdeed. “This may be an explanation for the increase in the crime of murder. A general belief that fhe .murderer will not suffer the extreme penalty may be spreading, and so the punishment prescribed by ,the Crimes Act may operate... less., t ,as.,.a determent than it used to do,”