CAR CONVERSIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 January 1939, Page 7

CAR CONVERSIONS

SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS DISCLOSED DEMAND FOR HEAVIER PENALTIES. VOLUNTARY PATROLS PROPOSED IN AUCKLAND. lEv Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 19. Concern at the great number of motor ear conversions occurring throughout the Dominion was expressed by members of the Automobile Association (Auckland) at a meeting tonight when considering a recommendation on the subject from the secretary, Mr G. W. Hutchinson. Several speakers were of the opinion that Court penalties should be heavier, so that there would be a greater deterrent to offenders.

Mr Hutchison recommended that a deputation be appointed to wait upon the superintendent of police in Auckland to ascertain whether adequate steps were taken for the protection of motorists’ property. If it was found that there was insufficient protection he suggested that the association should consider the formation of a voluntary corps of patrols among members to hunt down car thieves immediately a theft was reported, and follow up every case to see that it was properly dealt with.

"I thing it can be contended that the recrudescence of this type of crime is largely because those responsible think that they will not be severely punished if apprehended,” Mr Hutchison said. “Though the law does not regard this erime as theft, but merely as wrongful conversion, the fact remains that in most cases expensive damage is done to the car with no possibility of collecting the amount from the party responsible.” He felt certain that there would be no difficulty in getting 100 or 200 members to enrol and cover the city and suburbs in every case where theft of a member’s car was reported.

“This is a most serious matter,” said the chairman, Mr F. G. Farrell. For a 'period of approximately five weeks from the beginning of December, upwards of 40 cars were stolen or converted in the Auckland metropolitan area. If something was not done by the authorities, either police or Government, then sooner or later loss of life would result from these escapades.

Several members stressed the fact that the penalties so far inflicted were not heavy enough, though it was pointed out that magistrates had power to punish the offenders severely.

Mr Hutchison’s recommendation was adopted.