Australian Newsletter Concern At Increase In N.S.W. Car Conversions

Press, Volume C, Issue 29513, 15 May 1961, Page 7

Australian Newsletter Concern At Increase In N.S.W. Car Conversions

(Special Corretpoisdent N.ZJ’.A.)

STONEY, May 15. Car thieve* in New South Wales, last year, state nearh £4m worth of motor vehicle*. The culprits who were caught were brought before the courts; a few were given gaol sentences, some got bonds, while others—especially juveniles—were treated even more leniently. But the position now has been reached where the rate of theft is increasing, in spite of increased police patrols. Motoring organisation* and the police themselves have become deeply concerned about what they feel is an official "soft” approach, particularly to juvenile offenders. They are urging much heavier penalties for all car thieves, young or old, and claim that this is the only means of reducing the present rate of stealing. If the existing trend continues. it is estimated that 9000 motor vehicles, valued at more than £4’£m, will be stolen in the State this year. The National Roads and Motorists’ Association, the main motoring organisation in New South Wales, and the police have suggested two attacks on the problem. The police would like to see all cars fitted with steering locks and owners taking more precautions against thieves. Heavier Penalties The association, supported by senior police officers, wants heavier penalties imposed on all car thieves by the courts. It is claimed that more gaol sentences and fewer bonds would keep car stealers with long records under lock and key, and deter others. The advocates of stiffer penalties, however, admit that each case must be judged on its merits and peculiar circumstances. Five years ago, car thieves were having a real “picnic” in Newcastle, on the central northern New South Wales coast until Judge Arnsberg, of the district court bench, cracked down on them. He announced a “no bonds” policy for any culprits who came before him. and proceeded to live up to his word. Of 48 car thieves who appeared in his court. 21 were gaoled for four years, two for two years and a half, five for two years, two for 21 months, six for 18 months, three for 15 months, five for nine months, and four received good behaviour bonds. Within six months the number of car theft cases

coming before him dropped by 95 per cent. The judge'* “crack-down" now is being quoted as an example of what harsher penalties could achieve in Sydney and other parts of the State. ♦ * • Hospital Fires A fire-fighting expert has suggested the adoption by hospitals of code signals to warn trained staff members of fire outbreaks. The expert is Mr H. Parker, district officer at Fire Brigade Headquarters. Sydney, who in a recent address to nurses, doctors and administrative staff at one of the city's leading women’s hospital, gave this advice: “Don't smoke in bed or allow patients to do so; "Handle oxygen, ether and other violent supporters of flames cautiously; and "Don't use electrical appliances which have not been inspected by a qualified fire officer.” He said code signals transmitted to trained hospital staff would avoid the panic which an ordinary fire warning would cause among patients. Fire Training Hospital fire-fighting training should aim to send a staff team into action to stop a blaze from spreading, and to evacuate patients as soon as a fire-code signal had been transmitted. Meanwhile, hospital telephone operators familiar with the code would call fire brigades which could reach any of Sydney's city hospitals within 10 minutes of receiving a call, he added. Mr Parker's suggestion has been praised bv a number of hospital officials. ® ® Liquor Fees Australia’s State Governments will have two big problems to solve if hotel interests win their present appeal to the Privy Council, for repayment of licence fees. The New South Wales Premier (Mr Heffron) has stated that a hotel victory would mean his Government, alone, would have to refund about £lBm. Should the appeal be upheld, the first of the Government’s worries will be to find the cash to pav out, and the second, to devise a system of licensing fees, equitable as well as legal. If the worst happens for the States, their total payout in licensing refunds could be nearly £Bom.

In two test cases, the hotel licensees are claiming that the States have no legal right to collect the annual liquor licensing fees. Percentage of Sales Such fees are based on a percentage of the hotels’ liquor sales for each year. The hotel interests argue that this is an excise tax and invalid under the Australian constitution, which stipulates that oSly the Commonwealth can collect excise. Victorian and Queensland hotel licensees were the instigators of the appeals against the states’ right to impose the annual liquor fees collection system. In March of last year Australia’s full High Court, by a majority of only one, held that the states had a legal right to impose the fees—hence the present Privy Council appeal. * ♦ # Punched Priest A man who told Mr W McAndrew. S.M., that he had nothing against religion was fined £lO in the Central Court recently for having punched a Roman Catholic priest, outside an hotel, in a busy city street. The man is Robert Thomas Wolfe, aged 46. a labourer, who pleaded guilty to having behaved in an offensive manner and used indecent language. Police said the priest was attacked after he had accidentally bumped Wolfe, who was drunk. The Court was told that although he was punched about the body the priest was not injured. $ $ $ Big Game Fish On his first try at big game fishing four miles off Sydney heads a few days ago, a local amateur fisherman. Kevin Brennan, of Beverley Hills, landed a 9051 b Tiger shark. The weight-master of the Sydney Game Fishing Club, Mr K. Hanley, said it was the heaviest fish he had weighed this season. Brennan had a 45-minute battle with his catch before being able to land it. Later, he said: ’“lf that’s big game fishing then I’m a convert from now on.” » » « Wharf Clothing Twelve months ago waterside workers were issued by ship owners with special waterproof clothing. Each outfit cost more than £lO. This week, the secretary of the Australasian Steamship Owners’ Federation (Mr J. S. Cockle) said some of the

clothing supplied to the men had been seen in overseas ports. “We issued 4300 suits to watersiders throughout Australia on April 15, last year, and already many of them are missing.” “I can only surmise that sailors on overseas ships have been taking them away,” Mr Cockle said. The clothing is distinctive and could not be mistaken. It consisted of a yellow sou’wester, a nyloprene three- ' quarter length coat, nyloprene trousers and specially designed over-boots. ;