CAR THEFTS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 May 1932, Page 5

CAR THEFTS

NOT STAMPED OUT

STIFFER PENALTY NEEDED

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association, AUCKLAND, May 18. The opinion that the consideration by the authorities of the theft of motor-cars as mere conversion had no tendency to stamp out this •seriofirsj; menace, but rather encouraged it, wits expressed in a letter received from a member at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Automobile Association. The member said he understood the I ijiaximum penalty lor converting a motor-car was three months’ imprisonment. In a great many cases motorcars which were stolen were absolutely ntlined before the owner regained possession, to say nothing of the worry and inconvenience caused. In ispite of the serious nature of the offence, ■ tbe authorities treated it in a manner which would never rid motorists of the menace, If the authorities would take a common-sense view and charge the offenders with theft, which was the ottly sensible ihterpretation, and make the" penalty six months’ imprisonment, motorists would soon have' very little

worry. Mr AY. G. Walkley, secretary of the North Island Motor Union, said the union had been trying to have. the .penalty increased- A man who stole a dog was liable to six months’ in gaol, while one who sto’e a car could only receive a maximum of three months. The association decided to leave the ma.ter in the hands of the union.