PARDON AFTER PUNISHMENT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8862, 23 October 1907, Page 4

PARDON AFTER PUNISHMENT

In the House of Representatives yes- J terday the Meiklo Acquittal Bill i passed its second reading stage, upon the motion of the Premier, but it is scarcely" to the credit of the House that a dozen members should have been found to vote against a measure which was intended to do tardy justice to a man who had baen wrongfully sentenced to seven years' imprisonment with hard labour, and who for the past twenty years had I been strenuously struggling to have his reputation vindicated, and the stain upon himself and his family wiped out. Year after year for many years Select Committees have urged the Ministry to remove the record of his conviction, but the Government of the day was obdurate. The Sedilon Administration so far vindicated Meikle as to offer him £SOO in full compensation for his unmerited sufferings, but would take no steps to remove the stain from his character. Meikle took the money and gave a receipt in full of all claims, because of his necessities; but he pluckily persevered in his demand for obliteration of his name from the criminal court records, or for the adoption of some other means to clear his name. It was not until Sir Joseph Ward came into po" ? er that he had any hope of success, and yesterday the Premier showed that where abstract justice is concerned he is above personal or political prejudices. He went so far as to read the report of the Commission that enquired into the case and recommended the reversal of the verdict against Meikle in order that it might be embodied in Hansard, and he announced that he intended to set up a Committee to consider what compensation, if any, should be granted to the victim of a serious judicial error. In this he has shown a fair-mindedness which will meet with approbation through- ; out the Dominion. Meikle will now be pardoned after punishment. It must be to him a sweet alloyed by a great bitterness, but it is all that can now be done for him beyond granting him a substantial sum to recompense him for his suffering, and the long battle he has waged for justice.