A DANGEROUS MEASURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2654, 9 November 1909, Page 5

A DANGEROUS MEASURE.

Sir, —The Bill introduced by Dr. Findlay, the Attorney-General, wlneli is being put through the Legislative Council, is one that contains provisions affecting the liberty of the subject, as was wisely remarked by the Hon. J. B. Callan, who alone seems to have grasped its true import. The clause dealing with what are termed “fallen women’*’ are, so far as can be judged, very drastic and uncalled for. Practically perpetual detention in the hands of Oliiro Home officials —possibly for an unmercenary and amorous weakness —-is what it evidently means. One would have thought tlio exposure not so long ago of the haircutting and flogging methods in vogue at that institution would have roused the people generally to resent a further extension of governmental powers in this direction. I, for one, cannot hut fee! convinced that the Ward Government very ofteu meddles with -wliat it should properly leave alone, and leaves alone what it very properly should do. -The present proposal for a sort of Bastille for women is indeed worthy of it.—l am, etc., “TRUE LIBERAL.”