5 MARCH 1932, Page 15

THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL

(To the Editor of the Seacraroa.)

SIR, —Mr. Gladstone's simple-minded proposals for dealing with recidivism show a detachment from reality which it is rather fascinating to contemplate. In the efforts which the conummity has made through the centuries to deal with its lawbreakers, I am afraid that your correspondent's remedies, even to the judicial warning, have been tried and found wanting. To-day the abolition of Capital Punishment even for murder has been achieved in many countries and cannot be long delayed in Britain. There is not the remotest chance either on grounds of humanity or common sense of our people tolerating a return to the barbarous period when death was meted out for lesser crimes.—I am, Sir, &c.,

E. ROY CALVERT.

Notional Council for the Abolition of the Death Penalty.