, 1916-07-01
PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
COLONIAL COUNCIL
FOR ST. GRO
(Continued from Aois No. 81

His Excellency the Governor (Helweg-
Lorseu) introduced the Draft and pointed
OFT some misprints in the copy distributed
among the members, which, however, could
be corrected in the Committee which he
supposed would be appointed to go
through the Draft.
The extending of the Danish Penal Law
to the West Indies is q great advantage, we
will get here a codiication of all laws with
reference to crimes. AS it is now out here,
crimes are punished according to many
different laws, some Of them going far back
even to Christian VS. Danish Law.
TIL present law laid before the Council
represents an improvement, more humanity
than before is shown towards criminals.
In s 235 you will find the law concerning
stealing in gardens and fields. This propo-
sal follows the present Ordinance IN so far
as it applies the usual punishment for theft
on stealings from provision grounds and
fields; but it varies from the present Ordln-
a1ce in so far as it excludes from the pan
ishment for these stealings the additional
% lnishment otherwise prescribed TO. reiter-
alton of the crime. Experience has shown
that the present arrangement on this point
leads to quite unacceptable consequences.
I am quite willing to give if
the hon. Members ask for it, but | consider
it natural to appoint a Committee. This
Draft is the most important law laid before
the Council for many years. | have for
some wears ago worked on the extending
of it to the West Indies, and it is not due
to lie that it is first now laid before you.
You will serve humanity by adopting
this Penal Law.
The Chairman (~Stdkensamn) declared LIST
Discussion open.
1st Member for Frederiksted Town (Coul-
ter) did not know how many of the hon.
Members had been able to read this Draft
through, he had only read up to s 1877. He
supposed the Members would agree that
here are matters acceptable for the Coun-
Gil; the Draft was more in conformity with
humanity than the laws hitherto in force.
He would move that a Committee OF 5 be
a. pointed.
The Chairman (Stakena0nn) asked, if S
Members were not too many, a Committee
worked better with few members, 3 f. inst.
would in his opinion make the work easier.
1st Member for Frederiksted Town (Cou-
ter) could not agree, his proposal of S mem
bers was we'll founded. The Council had
two legal members, then one member for
each tow and one for the Country.
3rd Grown Member (Pretto) did not con
slider himself competent to ~criticise this
law; but he did not find 1t equivalent to
change SO Rigsdaler to ESQ Francs.
His Excellency the Governor (Hetaceg-
L~arsen). If you take it after the buying
power here you will not be able to get
more.
3rd Member for Christiansted Town
(Nie1sen) considered it a good law that
would last for many years. The amend
nlents could be discussed in q Committee.
One thing he would mention. The fines
were too high; he did not believe we need
ed much higher fines out here than in
Denmark, where they try to reduce the
fines, except in special Ordinances. He
would propose Z members to the Commit
tee
The Chairman (Stakemamm). If a man
steals, he must take his punishment. Con-
corning the fines he could not agree with
the hon. g. Member for Christiansted
Town (Nielsen(. The industrious people
ought to be protected, not alone the higher