COMBINING IN CRIME.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18408, 15 June 1925, Page 10

COMBINING IN CRIME.

—_♦ MAGISTRATE'S STRONG COMMENT. (SPECIAL TO "THft PBESS.") " AUCKLAND, June 13. A strong plea by throe solicitors for the suppression of the names of four young men who appeared in the Magistrate's Court on Friday on charges of theft from warehouses and receiving stolen goods was refused by Mr J. W, Poynton, S.M. The request for suppression of the names was mado on the ground that they were young men and had succumbed to the temptation of being.surrounded by large quantities of goods] . . , "Inhere there is a .combination to commit crime, it is more grave than a case of individual giving way to temptation," said Mr Poynton in refusing the application. "It is sympathetic of a deeper social malady and concerns the community much more thaU solitary cases. There is a greater dread of exposure among. the ( conspirators and the inducement to terrorise, and even murder, to prevent discovery is very strong. Wo see present-day examples in ' the Q 'Brien and Brady feuds in Melbourne, the murder gangs in Chicago, and the war betweon the rival racial clubs in London, leading to bloodshed and other crimes ,or violence. Whero a number of intending law-breakers unite- -to prey oh others, and do so, is in this case, it is right that the community should know them." The suggestion,.of combination was again refuted by Mr Oliphant, who later made a'further'appeal for the suppression of the nauies at least until after sentence had been passed. Mr Poynton: In these cases not only names, but also photographs should be published. Combinations are dangerous to the public, and it is a case tfhere the interests of society are concerned. The Magistrate deferred sentence for a week, bail in each case being allowed.