Papua.

Capital Punishment In

Federal Government Waives Right of Reprieve.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Pt. Moresby, May 1.

RESIDENTS in Papua welcome the news that in future death sen tences pronounced by the Judge of the Central Court and ratified by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council will be carried out.

On several occasions in the last few years it has happened that natives sen tenced to death for exceptionally seri ous offences have been reprieved by the Federal Cabinet. As a result, the be lief has gained ground that the local Government lacks either the power or the courage, or both, to give effect to its own sentences; and the difficulties of controlling the more truculent tribes in their exercise of the principles of vendetta have been very greatly in creased.

By far the most usual form of pun ishment in Papua for the murder of natives by natives is a term of impris onment; and it is only in extreme cases that the death sentence is passed.

It should be obvious that only men of proved ability and wisdom, with long experience of native customs and men tality are fitted to decide whether or not the death-penalty is, in the peculiar circumstances of each case, just and necessary; and the Federal Cabinet has taken a step in the right direction in deciding to waive the right of veto which it has exercised hitherto, and to leave matters of such vital importance to the peace and orderliness of native life to the absolute discretion of Sir Hubert Murray and his Executive Council.