The Sun 42 Wyndham Street, Auckland, N.Z. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1927. A JUDGE ON CRIME

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 8

The Sun 42 Wyndham Street, Auckland, N.Z. WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1927. A JUDGE ON CRIME

BY far the most outstanding public utterance yesterday was that of Mr. Justice Stringer on the prevalence of sordid crime. It was a timely comment on what was plainly called a grievous state of affairs.

In opening the criminal sessions at the Auckland Supreme Court his Honour described the calendar as being “a deplorably long list with a conspicuous and somewhat deplorable number of sexual cases.” It is not necessary to make any specific reference to the obscenities of the particular offences. Enough to say that the least of them represent a disgrace to a community with some ideals for securing and maintaining a high moral standard of social life. But serious attention should be given by all responsible citizens to the causes of crime and the drift of the young generation into slack and criminal ways of living - . “ It certainly seems to me,” said Mr. Justice Stringer, “there is a terrible lack of control over young girls of fifteen years or so, who are allowed to wander about the streets picking up with any young men. The tendency toward juvenile crime is a grievous state of affairs.” A wise judge, manifestly speaking with a clear sense of high responsibility, has stated a ease of the first importance for the consideration of preachers, teachers, citizens and administrators. ' What may be done to arrest this admitted tendency toward a lamentable prevalence of dishenesty, crime and gross immorality ? It is worse than useless simply to lament or denounce. In that exercise of vexation there is a danger of overlooking the good that is in modern developments, and there is also a risk of forgetting the splendid service of those whose influence and activity are against evil. Moreover, it has to be recognised that hypocrites and light-minded folk are in the majority in almost every community. It is a grave duty upon responsible citizens, however, to heed a serious warning from the Supreme Court Bench, and bestir themselves in a firm crusade against crime. The days of Cromwell and Obadiah, the terror of foolish women, have passed and will not easily be revived, but there is nothing to hinder the representatives and. guardians of all forms of teaching to bend immature minds toward moral and spiritual law without robbing the youth of a happy country of innocent pleasure. It is unfortunate that any person who lives by the law of duty and tries to do what is right, is too often treated like a fool or dismissed as a hopeless figure in modern life. To the cynical observer, it would seem that the crowd still gives preference to Barabbas. But, the old law holds good, and until conscience becomes the ruler of men’s lives the policeman will be kept as busy as the preacher. It may be suggested in perfect courtesy that the Bench itself could do a great deal more than it has done in the past decade to check the growth of crime. A fetish has been made of leniency and the maudlin passion of many people for saving the poor criminal. If, for a time, the punishment is made to fit the crime, there probably would be fewer criminals, and a better appreciation of honesty and simple life.

SAMOA AND THE MANDATE

NEW ZEALAND is particularly interested in Germany’s agitation for the return of her colonies because of the mandate over Western Samoa, which, in the opinion of international authorities, and despite charges to the contrary, she lias latterly administered with conspicuous success, particularly as concerns the health and the general welfare of the natives. It has all along been a popular misconception that these mandates over seized enemy territory are in the hands of the League of Nations; but the position has been made quite clear by the Secretary for the Dominions, who, asked whether the mandates were alloted by the League, and whether the League could not also take them away, replied: “That is exactly what is not the case. The territory is alloted by the Allied and associated Powers . . . They are in no sense a form of tenure which is held by us from the League of Nations, and the League is not in a position to transfer them or take them away.” The Prime Minister of New Zealand says his Government is firmly convinced that the best interests of the native population of Western Samoa lie in continued administration of the territory by New Zealand, and that such is practically the unanimous view of the natives themselves. The truth of this statement was evident in the bearing of the Samoan Faipules, high native chiefs, who recently visited New Zealand, and who expressed the utmost satisfaction in the manner in which their country was being governed by New Zealand, and the highest admiration and esteem for Sir George Richardson, the Administrator. There has from time to time been hostile criticism of tile Administration, and very bitter criticism at that, on the part of the Europeans, but it has been advanced on behalf of the Administration that this has been based on resentment at the thwarting of European exploitation of native interests. Sir George Richardson contends that the first duty of a nation holding a mandate is to safeguard the interests of the natives, and that he has endeavoured fearlessly to do this will not be denied. In doing so he has incurred the displeasure of a certain faction, but as there is always intriguing in some form or another among the white populations of the islands, this is not to be wondered at. In any case, the grievances complained of are shortly to be investigated by the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Nosworthy, who will proceed to Samoa for that purpose. In the meantime, “Yvhat we have we hold.” On all the evidence available, and notwithstanding many early mistakes and disabilities. Western Samoa appears to be prospering as well as circumstances will permit under its present x*ule, and, in the words of the Prime Minister, “ New Zealand will resolutely oppose any suggestion to alter its present mandatory status, and has no'ir.tention whatever of surrendering, either now or in the future, any rights it possesses in this connection.”