REFORMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 236, 29 September 1908, Page 4

REFORMS.

HABITUAL LMILNKAKDS. IiJCFOiUIATOUY HOMES. PROPOSED LECasLATIOX important new clauses, dealing with habitual drunkards and reformatory institutions, will lie moved by the Atlorncy-Cencral when the Police Of fences Amendment Act is in committee. The ilcliiiition of "habitual drunkard" is to include a person twice convicted of a breach of a prohibition order. •lustices of the Peace are not to be allowed to deal with habitual drunkards.

The duration of an order for detention is not to exceed three years. Any person not being a registered medical practitioner who is instrumental in supplying intoxicating liquor to a person detained in an institution for habitual drunkards is liable to a tine not exceeding .-L2O. ■ A person detained in such an institution may be released by a magistrate on probation. When a person has been convicted of a crime and tile juclw or magistrate is satisfied that the' olleuce was committed under (he inlluoiirc of drink, and that Ihe oll'eiidcr is an habitual drunkard. Ilie judge or magistrate may, in addition lo or in lieu of imprisonment, order the oll'ender to lie detained in an institution for habitual drunkards.

The term "iiistilulion for fallen women" is defined as "any institution established for tile care and reclamation of siicii women and for the time bci'ir-aiitlit.i-iseil -and appointed by the (lovernnr by Order-in-Council, as an institution fur Ihe reecpliou and deleiifion of fa leu women under (lie authority of ibis Act."

Women "r girls convii-ti-tl of ccvlviin oll'cncos iiuiy he coiiimitl.ccl. either in addition («> or in lien o! other penalty: to an institution under tile Act, if the, governing authority ol' tlie institution, will receive them. 'J'he period of detention must not he twice the maximum period of imprisonment for the offence in question, and (he Governor may at any time .direct the discharge or any person so detained. Escapees in such cases will lie treated as persons who have escaped from lawful custody. With Hie consent of Hie Minister, I'lie governing authority mnv male: bylaws dealing with the mode'of cniployineiil. and lours of labour of the inmalcs and other matters. Tower is given to the floTernor to make regulations for the inspection and violation of such institutions. tl,„ good conduct and discipline of llicir in-: males, tli" punislimvllls (hat may l.e indicted on them by Ihe governing authorities. ; ,nd generally for the ellieieiit currying out of (he provisions of (his* part of the Act.