POLICE COURT COMPARISONS. Oamaru.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 13

POLICE COURT COMPARISONS. Oamaru.

United Press Association wires have told all and sundry in New Zealand that Oamaru Police Court reiurns decreased in the 18 months since no-hcenee to 142, as compared to 440 in the same period prior to [he reform taking effect. These wires have not explained, however, tliVt 30 out of the 34 cases of drunkenness were either persons arrested immediately on their return from licnee area in a drunken condition or persons who brought liquor in with them and commenced a debauch. Ten other cases were a group of vounar men who went to a picnic at Timaru. and. having got drunk, were charged and convicted of "misbehaviour in a railway train. Other 10 cases were equally not chargeable in fairness against the "dry" area (all this on the authority of the local sergeant of police). Hence the real comparison is Before ,T, T S'nce No-license. No-hcense. 440 92 Ikvebcargill. The Southland Times, of Invercargill. published on January 10 last a statement of court, cases, giving all details, which showed a decrease from 577 in the 18 months prior to no-l;cense to 464 in the 18 months since. Of thecc 464 no fewer than 145 were shown by the detailed list supplied by the police inspector to have been ca«es of drunkenness that arose in adjoining license area These also, cannot lightly be charged against Imercvirgill no-hcen-e. The real comparison, then, is as follows: — Before Since No-license No-license 577 3 19 In Duupdin an era of strict regulation was promised that was to be " better fha.i no-license." From the court returns just published, comparing 1907 with 1906, we find that the following— which are all closely identified with liquor use and consequent excess — all show an increase: — Ajssault cases increased 21. breaking and

entering 14. mischief 20, drunkenness 84. bieachos of peace 8. \agrancy 13, prohibition orders 36 — a total increase on these lines alone cf 196. This ihrows a vivid light on the comparative success of nohcense and "strict en foi cement" as crimereducers.