THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10059, 29 January 1909, Page 4

THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE.

(Per Press Association.) Christ-church, January 28.

Dr Findlay, Minister for Justice, arrived in town from Wellington this morning, and attended the social gathering tendered 1 to Mr G. W. Russell, M.P., this evening, la conversation with a Truth reporter Br Findlay stated that at present he was engaged upon revising the police regulations, which were a good many years old, and had never been renewed since they were originally gazetted'. 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 effective, and he thought that the end would be achieved 1 by the alterations he proposed to make. The Minister stated that his visit to Lyttelton gaol to-mor-row was the first of a series of inspections he intended making of the different 'prisons as the opportunity offered. As most people would be aware, the question of prison reform and criminology had engaged a good deal of his attention during the last few years. The system in New Zealand had been working satisfactorily, and while it might be possible to make improvements here and there, he did not intend to advise the Government to make any experiments or any changes that were not justified by the experience of other countries. The new branch of the system (tree-planting camps) had answered very well, and not only had good work been done but the reformative effect had been of yery great value. Possibly that branch of the system might be extended in principle as far as eould be contrived. The system, the Minister felt, should be reformative rather than punitive. Dr Findlay said he was also giving careful attention to the .question of homes for habitual drunkards, and was considering several amendments of the law with a. view to giving a, wider and more effective sphere to present homes and other reformatory establishments. Asked how it was possible to guard against the escape of persons proceeding to an inebriate home, such as 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 to effect an alteration in the law, so that when a person selected to go into a home he or she might be conducted to the destination by a policeman'. In the alternative it was suggested that the State should defray the cost of some officer of the home selected to take charge of the person until the home was reached. The speaker 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 wjth Colonel Hume. The question of classification and selection _of prisoners for the camp was a matter in-volving-'great difficulties and care. * The Minister stated 1 that the appointment of a magistrate to fill the position declined by Mr Kirk would be made almost immediately, and later on further appointments would be made when found necessary. Asked regarding the '• recommendations of the Wellington Law Society as to the Appointment of extra, judges, Dr Findlay" laid that he had] nothing to add to the adverse Teport of the Chief Justice in the matter.

The appointment of new justices of the

peace would! be considered; by the Cabinet •within the next few weeks. The appointment of new police inspectors would be announced within the week, and probably by Saturday next.