THE POLICE REGULATIONS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 29 January 1909, Page 3

THE POLICE REGULATIONS.

VIEWS OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE. PRISON REFORM. NEW JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. [United Pbess Association.] ' CHRISTCHUSGH, Thnrsday. • Dr Findlay, Minister of Justice, ar- ' rived in town this morning, and attend- ; ed the social tendered to Mr W. G. Russell, M.P., this evening. In conversation with a "Truth' re- • porter, Dr Findlay stated that at present he was engaged upon revising the police regulations, which were now a good many years old, and had never been revised since they were originally gazetted. The changes in' the system occurring through the process of years had necessitated bringing the machinery of the regulations up to- date. His object was to make the system more workable and ePe^tivc, and he thought that end would be achieved by the alterations he proposed to make. The Minuter : tated that his visit to Lyttelton Gaol to-morrow was the first of a series of inspections he intended making of tho different prisons as the opportunity offered. As mosi people wo'iM be aware, the question of prison reform and criminals had engaged a good deal of his attention during the last few years. The system Di JNisw Zealand bad been working well, and while it might be possible to make improvements here and there, ho did not Intend lo advise the Government to make any experiments or any changes that were not justified by the experience of otlier countries. The new branch of the system (tree planting camps) had answered very well, ,and not only had (jer*! work beeu done, but the' reformative effect had been of very great value. Possibly the branch of the system may be extended in principle as fan as could be contrived. The system, the Minister felt, should ba reformative rather than punitive. Dr Findlay said he was also givinp careful attention to the question of homes for habitual drunkards, and he was considering several amendments ol the law with a view to giving a wider and more effective sphere to the present homss and other reformatory establishments. Asked how it was possible to guard against the escape of persons proceeding to inebriates' homes., snch ar Had occurred on one of the coastal steamers recently, the Minister said he had been approached by the authorities of some of the homes that were doing the best work either to effect an alteration of the law, so that when i* person elected to go into a home he or she might not be conducted to their destination by a policeman. In the alternative it wns suggested that the State should defray tlio cost of some officer of the home selected to lake charge of the person until the home was reached. The Minister said he was submitting the matter to the Government for consideration. Dr Findlay said he intended to visit the prison camps in the North Island, and go into the question of their future development with Colonel Hume. The question of the classification and selection of prisoners for the camps was a matter involving great difficulties and care. The Minister stated that the appointment of a magistrate to fill the position declined by Mr Kirk would be made almost immediately, and Jater on further appointments wonld bo made when found necessary. Asked regarding the recommendation of the Wellington Law Society as to the appointment of an extra judge, Dr Findlay taid tliat he had nothing l'J add to the adverse rP[-ort of the Chief Justice in the matter. The appointment of the new Justices oE tho Peace would bo considered by Cabinet within the next few weeks. The appointment of new police in-t-pectois would bo announced within the week, and probably by Saturday.