TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2424, 12 February 1909, Page 5

TREATMENT OF CRIMINALS

SUGGESTED COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEAL. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. The Hon. Dr. Findlay, Minister for Internal Affairs, asked if ho had any legislation in view regarding criminals and prisoners generally, made an interesting statement. “Yes, I have,” lie said, “but I do not intend to commit myself to any statement of the reform 1 have in view until I have had further opportunity of familiarising myself with the existing prison conditions, their advantages, their defects, and their, influence on prisoners’ reformation. From the information I have obtained and from personal inspection of the tree-planting camps, I am satisfied that these camps can bo extended with great .advantage, and. while they have been, doing admirable work, I am disposed to think that in one or two directions an improvement can still be made in the system. However, I am not going to discuss details of my proposals just now. 1 am free to say that in my opinion New Zealand must follow England in the direction of providing a proper Court of Appeal in criminal cases. .1 he English Act has been too recently passed to enable ono to speak confident of its merits, but provision lor appea in criminal cases should, I think, no matte, care being taken to sec that such provision cannot he abused, as it so often is in.'America. Lueb a provision ,would, I thmk, <ma .c the sentences passed by. our .fudges criminal cases, to bo reviewed by the Criminal Court of Appeal. Such a Court of Appeal would obviate difficulties which have.been conspicuous in connection with one or two cinn;'oi cas c S in New Zealand of recent years. I have not. however, prepared* any measure embodying these, ideas nor have they yet been submitted to the Cabinet for approval.”