CRIMINAL FLIGHTS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2853, 17 May 1882, Page 2

CRIMINAL FLIGHTS.

[To the Editor.] Sir, —It is very noticeable that in this colony the commercial man and the private individual who studiously or inadvertently places himself within the pale of the law, finds safe refuge in America; which, apparently, is the adopted , homo of many who have criminally committed themselves elsewhere. It would appear that all a man has to do in this colony, is to concoct a swindle, carry it out, and take passage to San Francisco or some other American port. Once there, he is free to enjoy the proceeds of his illgotten gains. In such cases as these the blame is not altogether with the criminal fugitive, it is the authorities of the colonies who are responsible for permitting such facilities for escape to exist: their remissness is a positive encouragement to crime. It is surprising that a country like America, which ranks high among the law-abiding nations, should so freely extend her arms towards those who are quite likely to constitute a questionable element of her society: if this means of escape were cut oft’, crimes of this nature would certainly diminish in the colony. One is almost led to believe that the law winks at offences of the kind mentioned, judging from the manner in which it allows its transgressors to escape; it is high time that justice asserted herself, and suppressed a practice unworthy of a civilized country.Yours, &c., D.E.