TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11647, 16 August 1916, Page 2

TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN.

AOTHER RECOMMENDATION FROM A GRIND JURY. Per Press Association. Auckland, August 14, The number of alleged olfencis' against children, the subject of charges in the Auckland Supreme Court calendar, was responsible for a special presentment from the Grand Jury before Mr Justice Hosting. The presentment was as follows: —“The Grand Jury views with concern the number of sexual offences against children, and is of opinion that some amendment to the criminal code is desirable to meet such cases in the direction of preventing a repetition of such offences. ’ ’ His Honour said he was sorry the Grand Jury had had such a long day, and that it had been concerning such disagreeable cases. He would take care that the recommendation of the Grand Jury was forwarded to the proper quarter. He understood that in Christchurch a similar, presentment was made, and he believed that it was intended that the amendment should take effect in the direction of empowering sterilisation. That course had been adopted in some American States, but the experience of its operation was, .perhaps, too short to fdemonstrate what the effect had been in reducing crime, and there was some question as to whether it was really competent under the American Constitution, because cruelty in punishment ■was prohibited. That was an element which must be considered in adopting such a method as sterilisation.