DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 10

DRUNKEN MOTORISTS

SUPPRESSION OF NAMES PUBLIC OPINION AROUSED Here is another batch ot citizen*' letters to the editor of The Sun * the recent cases in which an Auc land magistrate suppressed the nain of a young doctor who was convJctsl of drunkenness while driving a motor car, and refused to suppress th» . , c nair.^ of a mechanic, who was found gnil!v of being drunk while attempting to start his car:— DIVERGENT SENTENCES It is far more necessary for a medic., man to be sober than for a mechanic The drunken mechanic can inj-jn. people using roads, while drunken doctor can be the cause of deatbi through inefficiency, and also on the roads. The “doctor in the case” i n tv event of losing his professional con nection could take up some other work, say, that of a motor mechanic The magistrate evidently considered only the injury to the doctor’* present occupation, and made his chance of killing people on the road a secondary consideration. Is this justice, and in a so-called democratic country? No consideration should permit one motorist to endanger life with one kind of punishment meted out to him, and allci* another one to have another pun,*hment for the same offence. TOR. “TINKER, TAILOR Sir, — In the general scheme of thing* * doctor is of no more account than a mechanic, despite anything Mr. R, a Singer infers to the contrary. It is more often good luck rather than good management which determines the career a youth can afford to choose. if „ doctor deserves more consideration than a mechanic, because of the expense to which he has gone for hi, training, it is also true that drunkenness in such a one, is more reprehensible than in a mechanic, or tradesman. To whom much is given, much should be expected. Mr. Cutten, K.x for the interest he takes in child we! fare, is to be commended, and for thie reason more than for any other, it surprises me that he should deal ao leniently with the child’s greatest enemy—a drunken motorist, whether he be a doctor or a plumber. Such persons should be shown no consideration from the Bench. A doctor'! career is of small account when it comes to safeguarding the public against such lunatics. One doctor more dr less does not trouble one who believes with Shaw, that the more doctors there are, the more disease there is. SHAVIAN. SUPPRESSION OF NAMES Sir,— It is all very well to argue in terms of law, but what we want is argument in terms of common justice and equality. Mr. R. A. Singer's defence of the suppression of a young: doctor’* name is no more than migrht have been expected from one who was so signally successful in the interests of his client. He is, however, doing an injustice to the large body of non-professional men by suggesting that they are not entitled to the same consideration as was extended to the drunken medical man. The suggestion that a doctor is entitled to escape the ignominy and humiliation earned by his folly is preposterous. By virtue of his position he should be compelled to observe the most rigid standards. It has not been explained, for the benefit of the general public, which is ignorant of the processes of the law, how Mr. McKean happened to be “sent to the country last Monday. Meanwhile the public, which quite plainly realises the injustice that has been perpetrated, and obviously demands an ino jirv into the system which makes these things possible, will derive an ironic satisfaction from the fact that Mr. Singer’s efforts, by focusing on the case an unprecedented degree of public a ttention, have defeated their own ends. JUSTICE. “A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE” Sir,— I have refrained from making any comment on the intoxicated motorist* case at present engaging the interest of your readers, for the simple reason that I did not feel competent to judge on the facts as published; but when counsel for the convicted medico takerup the cudgels in substantiation ot the learned magistrate’s decision on tr.‘ suppression of names, he offers an opportunity for controversy. In the first place, I would like w ask Mr. Singer this simple question Could he not have made quite as eloquent an appeal for the suppression o. the mechanic’s name as he has for ti;** suppression of the medico’s, had been employed as counsel for the la - ter? I have no fault to find with A r Singer’s explanation of the Offenoer> Probation Act; but this cardinal P©instill remains: The publication o» 1 •navvy's name for the committing ot a first offence and the suppression c*l doctor’s for a similar offence is justice. Never mind about side such as the future and the effect o such publication on a doctor’s livehood. Justice, blindfolded and holdin-. the scales in her hand, asks only the facts of the case at issue. She aoenot seek to delve into a mans soc standing or his earning capacity; does not inquire of his family or his bank account; she re P and exercises a cold, sober and lutely impartial view in favour against the man upon whom she in judgment. Would Mr. Singer co tend that a first offender charged , rape should have his name suppres • Remember that Justice has alr / pronounced her verdict for such fence: any other imposition by ing the delinquent’s name known simply the barb of public °P *_ Further, does Mr. Singer know tn . England a member of London s m gence department, a man of hign .. charged with a certain objections® act in a public place, had his , broadcast throughout the Surely if any man had anything by a publication of the facts 1 this official. But suppression was granted. . social The man with money and __ standing can always claim, acco to Mr. Singer’s argument, that suffer more than the working e his misdeeds are made known general public. Bluntly, tlie ma jter question evolves itself into a of licensed prerogative; the ma. n the position and banking acc° . t y xa x : pay for his lapses and seal it jpg the man with nothing to l° s€ v for “good name” endeavours to p|J( j his stroll along the broad pa grin and bear the whisperings mob. “Slings and arrows ot o ous fortune!” Ye gods! P el "° in hi? Singer would be more Since /L ? pleading if he said the had a thicker hide than his P sional brother. w HO&&S. 1 Point Chevalier.