Mr. McKenna, in a speech at Pontnewynydd on Tuesday, explained
the nature of an excellent measure which he hopes to pass next session. This will enable poor prisoners who, under existing conditions, are sent to prison in default of paying a fine, to pay their fine in instalments. Of the hundred and fifty-one thousand persons sent to prison last year eighty thousand were committed in default of paying a fine. It would be infinitely better that those whose offence is' properly punishable by a fine should not be brought into contact with prison influences merely because they cannot find the money to pay the fine on the spot. Apart from this moral reason, the State would gain by receiving more revenue from fines, and by being relieved of the expense of maintaining an unnecessary number of persons in prison. We trust that Mr. McKenna's Bill will be passed by general consent.
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