A Spectator's Notebook
MY FIRST INSTINCT—and I imagine it was that of most Spectator readers —to the news of the heavy sen- tences passed on the nine 'nigger hunters' of Notting Hill was of satis- faction. Mr. Justice Salmon's words, passing sentence, fairly expressed the horror and detestation most of us felt about their crime. Second thoughts, how- ever, are less comforting. Salutary though such sentences may possibly be as a short-term deter- rent, four years seem rather excessive. In any case, they can do nothing about the causes of racial tension. Nobody seeing photographs of the accused youths could say they look hardened or depraved; none of them, in fact, had been in trouble with the law before. They appear to have gone out 'nigger-hunting' in much the same spirit as they might have gone out hunting rabbits : as a sport. I wonder how many of them had ever heard coloured people referred to at home except in terms of contempt? In such cases, if anybody is to be punished, it is arguable that it should be the parents. And it is certainly absurd to allow Fascist and crypto-Fascist organisations to spread racial laatred in the way that they are now per- mitted to do. The law rightly adopts a sterner attitude to the white-slaver and the pimp than to the prostitute; it should also exact heavier penal- ties from the demagogue who incites his audience to violence than from` the young irresponsibles on Whom his words exercise their effect.
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