A GRAVE EVIL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 131, 27 February 1919, Page 5

A GRAVE EVIL

PILLAGING OF CARGO HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSES REMEDIES Pillaging on the wharves was rnenjioned at the meeting of the Wellington Harbour Board last night. Much was made of the fact that recent losses included five hundredweight of copper, which the hoard had not succeeded in tracing. The board, it was stated, had a heavy bill to' meet ('very month for goods that had been stolen on the wharves. The chairman (Mr. C. E. Daniell) said he had to admit that a great deal of pillaging went on, i.lthough the board had taken all the precautions that appeared feasible. The board had assisted the police, and taken soecial precautions on its own account. He did not believe that all the thieving was done on the wharves. A great deal of it was flono on the ships before they reached Wellington and aiter they arrived. But there was much loss after the goods reached the heads ■ of the board, and there was proof that somebody in ,the city received the goods. The nature of the losses indicated that the thioves had a market. He thought that the Courts were too lenient in dealing with offenders when convictions had been recorded. ; Captain M'Arthur said the pillaging was very serious. The oft'er of a reward might assist. Mr. J. Cobbe said the pillaging was much more severe than the board realised. The pillagers were very expert, and ■tk& losses often were not discovered until the cases had reached up-country stores. Some people must be receiving the goods. He thought the. sentences imposed on 'convicted pillagers were far too lenient. Mr. M. W. Welch objected to the payment of a reward. The Minister of Justitle should be approached in the matter. Mr. J. G. Harkiiess said he agreed that the sentences were too lenient. A man who liad stolen goods worth £25 conl.l well afford to pay a fins of £o. The kaid could not ask the Minister to interfere with the courts of justice. The Ministers had no power to call upon Judges or Magistrates to, increase sentences. But he felt that the persons convicted of pillaging ought to be punished much more severe!» than was now tho case. Mr. "hi. Cohen remarked that pillaging was common to. all centres and all parts of the world. Some of the pillaging occurred at the other side of tho world, before the goods reached the ships.' The eayn;ent of rewards was an incentive fo perjury, and might lead to serious abuses. He thought the board ehould redouble ifs own efforts to stop pillage. The chairman said that publicity would help the board. It might be advisable to authorise the executive to offer a retvftrd in certain circumstances.' "That cooper is about the city somewhere yet, he" eaid, "and I should like to know tho chap who has got it." Mr Sinclair emphasised the importance of securing heavy sentences if'posMr. R. A. Wright, M.P., took the same view. Leniency <m the part of the JLigtetrates wae encouraging pillaging, which was.a factor in increasing the .cost of living.* The matter was left in the hands of the executive.