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NZ Truth, Issue 144, 21 March 1908, Page 6

represented by persons who were practically upon their. trial, and even though they might have been saintly ind-ividtfals with luminous haloes around their brows, they couldn't be held . responsible for the horrible system , which they stated had a beneficial effect on ttie girls, the ex-in-ma-tei prostitutes notwithstanding. One witness stated that the girls were happy ; another thay they were fond of the matron. A problem that exercised the minds of some witnesses was what to do with the sexual degenerates among the girls. Unfortunately no evidence was tendered as to the number of sexual degenerates created by the "system," which allowed vicious girls to mix freely with untainted inmates, and by reason of separation from the opposite sex encouraged indulgence m illicit practices. Classification was recommended but there was no suggestion of furnishing separate homes for. the real bad 'uns. The ■ astounding evidence of Parson Inwood, minister of Burwood, shows with what tolerance a pious person nwiv view unnatural treatment of the body corpdral. He said there was nothing degrading to a young woman m being flogged, and there 'was /"neither i sentiment nor hardship m cutting ttie hair of the girls. As furnishing a means of preventing absconding it was justifiable, and even praiseworthy. In view of the fact that the gaols of the Dominion 'are largely recruited from industrial schools and homes, where the mode of living is an outrage on nature, the report of the Commission will be awaited with interest.