The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45
A Judicial Opinion
A Judicial Opinion.
A Judicial opinion of the cause of crime is always entitled to be received with respect. In New South Wales, the other day, when charging the juries and sentencing the prisoners, in the Queen v. Spencer and the Queen v. Devine, Judge M'Farland thus spoke of the origin of those causes, as disclosed by the evidence:—" These are but additions to the list of sad cases that are now so numerous. Drink! drink! and the wide-spread prevalence of the public-houses that supply it are the fruitful source of nine-tenths of the crime throughout the colony, the cause of ruin, wretchedness, and disgrace to thousands, year after year. Drink! drink! drink! the almost universal cry of prisoners, and the curse of all belonging to them. If I were to repeat the words until I was hoarse, or black in the face, I should be doing no more than faithfully describing the origin of nearly all the crime that degrades and the misery that afflicts us; but while jurors are empannelled, and Crown prosecutors and judges appointed to prosecute, try, and sentence criminals all over the country, the public houses that have made those criminals what they are, are allowed to flourish and multiply in every direction as if they were most deserving institutions. Such a state of things is little better than a mockery and a farce, and demands a strong speedy remedy."