In the House of Commons on Tuesday the disagreeable question
of blackmail was discussed. Blackmail in peculiarly despicable formi has been forced upon public attention lately, but we cannot agree that the victims of blackmail would be really helped by secret trials. Whenever we get away from the great traditional prin- ciples of open Law Courts and a free Press we fall into worse evils. As Sir William Joynson-Hicks pointed out, the victim of blackmail usually wants to conceal the facts more from his relations than from anybody else, but from them even a " secret " trial cannot be hidden. Recent trials have as a matter of fact shown that secrecy is impracticable. The attempt to secure it arouses disproportionate curiosity. Sir William said that the Public Prosecutor and the Lord Chief Justice had both advised that the House should be asked to approve the addition of flogging to the existing penalties for blackmail. He was earnestly considering this pro- posal, though he was not convinced that increased punishment was the. true remedy. A healthier public opinion was the surest way out of a great- difficulty.
* * * * . .
Previous page
