The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1867.

Southland Times, Issue 704, 2 August 1867, Page 2

The Southland Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 1867.

Amott'g the most noteworthy paragraphs in the speech of His Excellency the Governor, on the occasion of the meeting of the General Assembly, was that having reference to the establishment of a Colonial Penal Settlement. This is a matter of great jnoment, and it must b.e gratifying to all that have studied the .question that it has been occupying the attention of Mr Stafford and his colleagues during the recess, and that during the session measures will be introduced that will bring the subject prominently before the public. There is perhaps no argument that can be advanced in favor of the abolition of the Provincial system more pungent than that obtained from a study of the evils arising from, and the extravagant expenditure necessitated by, the absurd system of keeping up ten Penal Establishments in one colony. It requires no great range of thought to determine that such a mode of dealing with criminals must considerably increase taxation without materially checking crime. The question, what shall we do with our " dangerous classes," has been a problem that for scores of years has engaged the attention of the legislators of Europe, and still remains unsolved. The difficulties and complications that are twined round this question in old countries threaten to become equally troublesome in those of recent creation — especially the Australasian colonies. New South "^jVales and Tasmania have been.deluged with criminal pollution, being for a time the' depots that received the sweepings of the prisons of England. What has been the result ? The seed of crime that was then sown has taken root, and brought forth fruit of the most demoniac character. The bushranging in New South Wales, Victoria, and New Zealand evidences the fearful results that have arisen from imperfect penal legislation iu the past, and renders it of the highest importance that the colonies should grapple with the difficulty and lay down a system for the disposal of their criminals before they become of such magnitude as in England ; this the Stafford Ministry have had the courage to attempt. Hitherto this question has not been seriously considered by the legislators of New Zealand. In the early days of colonization, when each lilliputian settlement was deemed well protected, if it could rejoice in the possession of one constable — when, as in Dunedin, prisoners were allowed to roam at will, the only surveillance being a threat, that if they did not return to their quarters at a given hour as a punishment they would be locked out ; crime was almost unknown and therefore the subject now under discussion neglected. But circumstances have changed. With an increase of population there has been an increase of crime, and match-box structures that once were deemed sufficient gaols have disappeared, and costly penal establishments supply their place. The largest items of New Zealand Governmental expenditure (war expenses excepted) are for the prevention, detection, and punishment of crime. That these objects should receive the first consideration no one will gainsay, but every one must condemn a disjointed system, the carrying, out of which costs the country five times the amount that would be required under a central arrangement, and makes it patent that the proposed Bill of Mr Stafford is entitled to universal support. Iu a previous article we pointed out the desirability of the formation of a colonial Police Force. We may now allude to a few of the advantages that would arise from the establishment of a colonial Penal Settlement. Taking a financial yi ew — there is in this colony (including Chatham Island) ten establishments, in which criminals are lodged during the term of their sentences, and ten staffs of officers, warders, and others, kept up at an immense cost. It will be within the mark to assume that one colonial Penal Settlement might be efficiently conducted, if an eligible Island could be fixed upon, by one-fourth of the staff now employed. Instead of there being ten governors only one would be required, and not more than one-fifth of the warders. This alone would be a saving to the country of many thousands of pounds. Looking at the proposal in a moral point. All the experiments that have been tried throughout the world, for the reformation of criminals go to prove that local imprisonment is most i objectionable. This system has proved a failure in England and in the colonies. If a criminal serves his sentence in the placein whichhe committed the crime, when released, if an old offender, he returns to his former associates to plan fresh crimes' while if a criminal, new to the profession, and anxious to retrieve hia character, two

elements are at work to prevent his carrying out his good intentions —he cannot return to the class from which he came, and is compelled to fall into the ranks of the hardened Criminal Brigade. He becomes an outcast from society, content to slide lower and lower in the scale of crime. The proposal of Mr Stafpoed, we should think, would be accepted by every province ; that even the most ultra provincialist must acknowledge that the founding of a colonial penal establishment is one of the greatest benefits that could be confered —the first step to be taken to secure the unity of the colony. Great credit is due to the Staffobd Ministry for the attention they have given during the recess to this subject. "We trust that a bill for consolidating the provincial police forces and providing one efficient Colonial Force "will be framed. There may be some doubts and difficulties suggested in the selection of a place suitable for planting a Colonial Penal establishment when the subject is brought on for discussion. Those who know much of the south end of the Middle Island will readily endorse the opinion that Stewart's Island is admirably adapted for the purpose. Its isolated position and general character is such as to render it peculiarly adapted for the establishment so much desired. This selection we would recommend to the f attention of the General Government.