PENALTIES FOR SPYING.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 6

PENALTIES FOR SPYING.

IMPERIAL LAW ADOPTED.

WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Official Secrets Bill, read a first time in the Legislative Council this afternoon, is an adaptation of the Imperial Acts of 1911 and 1020, the first of which is in force in New Zealand, and the second of which is not. The bill makes spying a crime. Communication with or attempt to communicate with a foreign agent is evidence of spying, and wrongful communication of secret in for* niation is made an offence, punishment for which is imprisonment'for two years. Power is given the Attorney-General to demand the production o» telegrams by telegraphic or wireless institutions. Power to arrest suspected persons»is given, and unauthorised use of uniforms, falsification of reports, forgery of passports, impersonation, etc., are punishable by imprisonment for two years. A similar penalty is provided for harbouring spies. A person guilty of a crime under the bill is, unless other punishment is provided, to be liable to imprisonment for not more than 14 years. The Court may exclude the public from trials, but sentence must be passed in public. A company or corporation convicted under the bill is liable to a fine not exceeeding £5000.