UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 518, 30 March 1920, Page 3

UNDESIRABLE CHARACTERS

MAGISTERIAL ORDERS •'GO TO THE COUNTRY'.' RESENTED BY FARMERS. From time to time we see in the daily press that when some undesirable character is brought before the Court, the magistrate convicts and orders the culprit to leave the city and go to the country. At the last Sub-Provincial meeting of the Franklin Farmers' Union, Mr. A. L. Hull, of Waiuku, moved a remit as follows: "That we protest against the action of magistrates in ordering undesirable characters to leave the cities and go into country districts, as such characters are a menace to country settlers. These characters should be committed for reformative treatment." . Mr. Mellsop seconded the motion, while several others endorsed it. Mr. E. I'iggott agreed with the remit, but he queried if magistrates ordered criminals to leave the cities. Such characters as were ordered to the country were usually weaklings, who were unable to stand against city temptations. Such men had usually left a job in the country, and the magistrates mostly ordered them back again. After further discussion the remit was carried.