A CRITICISM

Hokitika Guardian, 28 September 1933, Page 8

A CRITICISM

CONVEFfs76N M (jn THEFT. OFFENCES INCREASING. CHRISTCHURCH, Sept, 2G “The Department of Justice is apparently determined to block any effort to suppress this class ol crime, and we motorists feel that the time has arrived when we should invite our fellow citizens to support our claim for better legislative protection ior our property.” in these words, Mr W. O’Callaghan, president ol the North island Motor Union, calls attention to the growing evil ill New Zealand of the conversion of motor-cars. The theft of motorcars,” he says, “or' as the law euphemistically calls it, the ‘conversion’ of motor-cars, is a class of crime that hav steadily grown in volume and seriousness during the last few' years. The reason for its growth is that the 'Justice- Department has resolutely refuse-! to consider any suggestions that the penalty lor the conversion l of a motorcar should he adequate. The maximum penalty that a person converting a car to his own use can be awarded by the Court is a term of three “months imprisonment or a fine of £2O. Obviously, a light penalty such as this - .is not lifcely to act. as n deterrent to the motor-car thief, although the Justice Department serenely assumes that R does. Horse stealing and- sheep stealing in this country have been practically stamped out because for these offences the criminal may "receive up to fourteen years imprisonment.” Mr O’Callnehan says that so serious has this evil become that some years n-To the Automobile Associations fir the Dominion arranged with ithe Broadcasting Company to broadcast descriptions of stolen cars so as to assist the police end the Automobile Associat.ioroad patrols to recover the stolen vehicles. This srevice has been continued bv the Broadcasting Board. b”t the Justice Department . stood aloof, apparently determined to do nothing to protect the property of the motorist.

‘“Motorists Exasperated.”

In two districts at least in New Zealand the conversion of motor-cars had become so alarming that motorists had voluntarily offered their cars and - services to the police to assist the latter to recover stolen vehicles.- One castlie quotes, in which 38 vehicles are at the service of one police station i anj when a car should he stolen in the vicinity. “These motorists,” he says, “are willing to be called out at any hour of the day or nighT to assist the police, and their cars are, at f* ,e disposal of the police until the stolen car is recovered. Why ? Because motorists realise that if the law does notr: protect their property they will have to do it themselves. Is it any wonder that' motorists are exasperated to think' that officials in the Jus-lice Department steadily refuse to allow the Government to legislate for the protection of the motor vehicle owner ?” •• - ■ '

Mr O’Callaghan savs that the attitude successive Ministers of Justice when first approached has been favourable to increasing the penalty for this offence, hut immediately the ■ matter was referred to the departmental head opposition-was encountered and no progress made.