OFFERING A PREMIUM TO STEAL.

THE BENCH'S COMMENTS

During the hearing of a theft case ; at Te Aroha on Monday,^in which a man under the influence of "lunatic soup" was charged with stealing some, clothing from the shop fronts of loca* 1 business premises, the Bench.was not disposed to be harsh and inflie'ed a fine of £3, £2 car hire, and £1 2s 6d for damaging the goods stolen. Tha Bench would probably have sent the man to prispn for a term only that it commented on .the foolishness of business people leaving goods outside, their shops, which practically offered a, premium for anyone to abstract The Bench also suggested that the local authorities should frame a bylaw prohibiting tradespeople exposing their goods to temptation. We do not think this matter has anything whatever to dp with the Borough Council. If businesspeople are foolish enougn to leave their wares exposed in such a loose manner they should be prepared to take the consequences,, and serve them right. If somebody would purloin a penny-in-the-sl.ot' machine which encroaches on the footpath in front of a ittle shop n&ar the raliway station it would be unfair to inflict any punishment on the offender.