THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 4, 29 January 1909, Page 2

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

1)11, KIXULAV'fS SCHEMES. l)y Telegraph.—Press Association. Chrislchurch, uist Niyht. Dr. Eindlay, Minister of Justice, arrived in town from Wellington this morning, und attended the social gathering tendered to Mr. C. \V. Kussell, M.P., t this evening. In conversation with a i Truth reporLer. Dr. Findlay stated that at present lie was engaged upon re vis ng the. police regulations, which were now a good many years old, ami had ucver been reviewed since they were originally gazetted. Changes in the system occurring through the process of years had necessitated bringing the machinery ol' the regulations up to date, His object was to make the system more workable and ell'eelive, aad he thought that end would be achieved by the alterations he proposed to make. The Minister stated that his visit to Lyttclton gaol to-morrow was the lirst of a series of inspections he intended making of the different prisons as the opportunity offered. As most people would be aware, the question of prison reform and criminology had engaged a i good deal of his attention during the i last few years. The system in New Zealand had been working satisfactorily. { and while it might be possible to make • improvement* here and there, he did not intend to advise the (iovernment to

make any experiments or any changes that were not justified by the experiences of oilier countries. ' The new branch of the system (treeplanting campsi had answered very well, and not only had good work been done, but the reformative effect had been of very great value. Po-<ildy that branch of the system might be extended in principal a> far a> could be contrived. The system, the Minister felt, should be reformative rathe-r than punitive. Dr. Kimllay said lie was also giving

attention to the question of homes for habitual drunkards, and was considering several amendments of the law with a view of giving a wider and more effective sphere to the present homes and ' other reformatory establishments. Asked how it was possible to guard against tin' escape of persons proceeding to inebriates' homes, such as had occurred on one of the coastal steamers recently, the Minister said he had been approached by the Authorities of one of the homes that were doing the best work, either to effect an alteration of the law m> that when a person elected to go into a home he or she might be conducted by a policeman; in the alternative it was suggested that the Stale should defray the cost of some officer of the home selected to take charge of the person- until the home was reached. The speaker was submitting the matter to the Government for consideration. Dr. rindlay said he intended to visit the prison camps in the North Island and go into the question of their future development with Colonel Hume. The | question of classification and selection | of prisoners for the camps was a matter involving great difficulty and care. The Minister stated that the appointment of n magistrate to fill the position declined by Mr. Kirk would be made almost imincdiate.ly, and later on further appointments would be made when found necessary. Asked regarding the recommendations of the Wellington Law Society as to the appointment of extra- judges, Dr. Viudlay said that he hail nothing to add to tin* adverse report of the Chief Justice in the matter. Tin 1 appointment of new Justices of the lVaee. won hi be considered by Cabinet within the next few weeks. The appointment of new police in>prcl ors would be announced within the wn»k, anil probably by Saturday next.