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4

and we have hope that still better results will be obtained from the efforts put forth to redeem those who have offended against society. v| j The Dominion suffered a great loss in the death of the late Mr. C. E. Matthews, who had been a member of the Board since November, 1916. He was greatly interested in his work, and spared neither time nor labour to carry out reforms in the institutions with which he was connected. The wave of crime that was witnessed two or three years ago has spent its force. It cannot, however, be expected that crime will at once be lessened. Many of the causes of crime are to be found in the past, for heredity plays a great part in our social life, and so long as there are mental defectives there will be offenders against our laws. Crime, however, might be lessened if those guilty were always found so by our tribunals, and if the community removed temptation from our midst. The cessation of crime cannot be obtained except by an uplift of our civilization, and tojget such an uplift requires a struggle of all our citizens for a higher life. Notwithstanding the many failures met with in our efforts to reform those under our jurisdiction, the members of the Board arejyet full of hope, and they are gratified at the results of the efforts to redeem the erring that are jbeing made in our reformative institutions. One thing much needed is the assistance that should|be given to those who have regained their liberty and begun their citizen life afresh. The|majority A of them are weaklings, and they need help and guidance. Robert Stout, President. Wellington, 23rd July, 1925.

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