NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1450, 23 September 1915, Page 3

NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON.

Addressing the grand jury at the sitting cl the Suprerm- ■- on;t on Monday last, the Chi-: f Justice (Sir Robert Stout) had something to say cn-prohibition and the decrease of crime in MasfcDon. “I can heartily congratulate yon on the diminution of crime, especially in the electoral district of Masterton,” said His Honour. “I may show you more clearly the extent of the diminution by taking figures of mime aud criminals some years ago and the, figures of last year ami comparing Diem. In rqoS you resolved to make an experiment by abolishing what in America is called the open saloon, and I take figures for that year. I shall first, take statistics of crime reported, as it may happen that the statement of convictions can be accounted for by a change in police or judicial administration. The number of crimes reported will not he affected to the same degree by the administration of justice. In 190 S the mi in her of offences nt all kinds reported, including many potty offences, was 512, In 19r q the number had fallen to 151, a decrease, as you will see, of 561, being a percentage decrease of 70 per cent. To compare the figures in another way, the number of offences in 190 S was 239 per cent, higher than in 1914. In tire case of convictions the same result is shown. There were in 190 S 461 summary convictions—that is, convictions for petty oliences or breaches of our laws, including by laws;' in 1914 there were only 96. ‘‘One pleasant feature ot the figuies is that while in 1908 twenty women were convicted, eleven of the convictions being for drunkenness, in 1914 only tour were convicted, aud of these four only one was for drunkenness. The figures are similar in the case ot serious offences. In 1908 forty - persons were sent to the Supreme Court lor trial, and twenty-five were convicted , in 1914 there were only eleven, eight of these being convicted. This shows a great change. So far as the convictions for drunkenness are concerned, the decrease is marked. In 1908 the convictions for drunkenness were 302 ; in xgtq only 49, and I am informed by the police that two-thirds of those convicted came from outside your electoral district. It is not for me to trace the causes of the decline in crime. I only record the fact. I also find that there are fewer civil cases in your Magistrate’s Court, and debts are more easily collected.”