THEFT OF MOTOR CARS.

Shannon News, 10 September 1926, Page 4

THEFT OF MOTOR CARS.

GRAVE CONCERN IN AUCKLAND. The unlawful conversion of motorears is giving cause for grave concern in Auckland (writes "Focus" in the "New Zealand Herald"). Over eighty cars in ; six 'months is a record above that of any city in the Dominion, and it compares very faeourably with overseas cities" of a similar size. The average of three cars a week j:iay be comjparcd with Melbourne's fcv.ejragc of five a week. Unless better supervision is exercised in Auckland this class of offence will get out of hand. Arrests aie too few to serve as a,, deterrent, j;nd the few offenders caught are usually released on probation. At present the cars arc always recovered, but as the offences increase no doubt the ingenuity of the thieves will result in the absolute disappearance and disguise of some vehicles; .Over 100,000 cars were stolen in the United States last year. Li New York city alone the annual thefts exceed 10,000. Ten American cities, report annual car thefts exceeding 2000, and in some of the larger cities as much as 25 per cent, are never recovered. Over 3000 cars were not traced in New York during 1924. In Michigan and Maryland great satisfaction is felt that only 5 per cone, of the cars are not recovered. In London, car stealing is, by comparison, less serious than in Auckland. The thefts in the great metropolis average six a week, or twice the Auckland rate. From the annual report of the Commissioner of Police of London, it appears that during 1925 the number of inotor vehicles reported 1o have been stolen from all parts of Great Britain was 058, as compared with 521. in 1924, 466 in 1923, 598. in 1922 and 1016 in 1921. • During the five years named car thefts increased from' 3SO to 438, while those of motor cvcles declined from 636 to 220. The number recovered during 1925 was 425, of which 333 ware cars and 118 motor-cycles. In the London Metropolitan police district, where the thefts numbered 331 cars and 92 motor-cycles,-the great majority were those of vehicles left unattended in the streets. genuine Australian who would dissent from that view. Too much publicity could not be ,given to what the 'London "Daily Mail" describes as the "Stirring Example of Patriotism" of the Auckland Power Board. Above all, it should be brought specifically under the notice of every public body in the Commonwealth. Britain needs to-day every atom of preference the Dominions can 'grant her, and her need is so urgent that she makes no secret of it. Australians who recognised an obligation to prefer British goods when Britain did not need the favour, and continued to extend the preference while Britain's needs was unconfessed, should give now with both hands.' Indeed, we should make it our national business to see that no foreign goods are permitted i to enter the Commonwealth unless proof is furnished that such goods are unprocurable in Britain.