BAN ON IMPRISONMENT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20023, 23 August 1939, Page 12

BAN ON IMPRISONMENT

NON-PAYMENT OF FINES

SUMMARY PENALTIES BILL

MEASURE BEFORE HOUSE

(I’or Tress Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Arbitrary imprisonment of persons in default of payment of fines, except in special prescribed circumstances, is prevented by the Summary Penalties Bill, which was introduced by the Governor-General’s message in the House of Representatives yesterday. The bill, which also legalises the common practice of stipendiary magistrates of extending the time for Uhe payment of fines, was read a second time pro forma and referred to ithe Statutes Revision Committee. It is to come into force on January 1. 1940.

“The bill provides- that where the court intends a iinq as punishment, ''.-here will not be imprisonment as the automatic result of non-payment of the fine," said the Attorney-General, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, when the bill was introduced. “A person who is fined for an offence, will have to come before the court, again before he -may foe sent, to prison- for default, except; in cases of drunkenness.” The purpose of -the bill was entirely humanitarian, Mr. Mason said, and followed the precedent established in England. It legalised what was very frequently -done by magistrates. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Nat., K-ai-para) suggested that an offender might be content just 'to owe a fine and let it go at that. The bill might, in fact, encourage the “Kathleen Ma vou rn-een” system. "I think the bill will, foe found to provide all the necessary machinery,” the Minister said. “If it is ineffective in any way, I shall be pleased to have the -help of members of the House in remedying its faults. “To-day, there is a general sentiment against sending people to prison it it can be avoided. I am sure the bill will operate in a humanitarian direction.”