HEAVIER PENALTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 32, 8 February 1933, Page 13

HEAVIER PENALTIES

UNLAWFUL1 USE OF CARS

MOTOR UNION'S STAND

The North Island Motor Union decided yesterday afternoon to continue its agitation for heavier penalties in .; cases of unlawful'convci'sion of motor- , ears. The Minister of Justice wrote stating that, however much he . sympathised with tho union in the matter, he could not interfere with the decisions of the courts nor issue instructions as to the penalties that should be imposod in fu- j ture. Counsel employed by tho union . could address the Court in suitable places and probably attain the end de--1 sired. . / Mr. W. G. Walkley, secretary of the union, said that ho. understood the prosident and vice-president of the New Zealand Law Society would be calling on the Attorney-General in a few days in reference to the matter. Mr. L. A. Edwards (Wellington) said that the union had beep advised spme years ago that with heavier petialties: it would be more difficult to obtain convictions; Many efforts had beeii made to remedy the position through the Department of Justice; but without success, and; he thought the union should endeavour to secure its objective. through the Commissioner of Transport, j The objection in former years was I that with greater penalties, there would be. the right of trial by jury, and convictions would be hard to obtain; said Mr. F. W. Johnston (South' Island- Motor Union), but nowadays, whpn motorcars were so common, tlie' same consideration would' not" apply.- The other way was-to- give the- Magistrate summary jurisdiction in all cases of unlawful'conversion. '■ It was stated that the Federation, of Justices' Associations would discuss t]ie matter at its'conference "nest month." ■ Mr.- -Edwards's; suggestion- ■ was adopted.- ; , .. ■' ■ Mr. Walkley said that the position had become so serious- that a scheme had been drawn up to establish "flying 6quacls" for the apprehension of offenders.