A CRIMINAL POPULATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 60, 15 December 1871, Page 2

A CRIMINAL POPULATION.

The “ Sydney Morning Herald,” in a recent issue has the following remfifkk' in its leading article on a case of cattle stealing tried before the Supreme Court there. From these remarks it will be very evident that the rising generation of New South Wales is. not law-observing; and the prevalence of busli-ranging in that colony is at once explained.; The “ Herald ” says:— ’ ' \ / The disclosures during the lasbjjSessions have Bliown how deep-seated is the crime of cattleTStealing—*how it has penetrated the various classes of sooiety, weakening the moral principles of many, and reducing tho value of stock in some places almost to nothing. The distinction between a valuable stock and those which are encumbered by a wild and worthless species, depends upon the security of possession. Who will take pains to improve, with the prospect before him that his herds will be carried off by robbers, if not altogether, yet by degrees ? The conditions under which laud is obtained in this country have greatly aggravated the mischief, and locations have been selected solely with the view of the conveniencics they offer to brand and slaughter. The notion that men arc carrying on their depredations with impunity, inevitably lowers, we will not say the principle of their neighbuors, but the kind of prejudice which, in the absence of honesty, sometimes protects property. Children brought up in such a circle are made cattle-stealers from childhood. They are adepts before the understanding is sufficiently experienced to see their danger. Thus a race of cattlestealers, encouraged by opportunity and impelled by necessity, is being raised up to become the scourge of the interior of this country.., The danger resulting from a particular crime is increased when it is separated from all other crimes in popular language, and justified by special pleading which is founded upon the idea of reprisals and uncertainty of ownership. The notion prevails that since Smith was violently suspected of stealing his neighbor’s cattle his neighbor has an undoubted right to steal his. From this, it is but a step to separate the community into classes, and so entitle the poor man to play on the rich, and to raise a moral distinction between robbing a free selector and carrying off the herds of a squatter. When such ideas prevail people may defend their cattle by force ; but it is useless to think of preserving it by law, and In the long run force itself will be too dangerous a remedy.