POLICE OFFENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 170, 19 July 1924, Page 14

POLICE OFFENCES.

EXTENDED POWERS. MOTOK THIEVING AND SUNDAY TRADING,- • (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Iteporter.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The amendment tv the Police Offences Act, introduced by Governor's Message in the House to-day, is on the lines of the bill introduced last session, but numbered, as the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Justice, explained, among the slaughtered innocents. Its main features deal with an extension of the law relating to motor thefts and to Sunday trading. The original penalty for Sunday trading was a maximum of £1, but the bill provides for a £5 maximum as a penalty for any person, who, in view of public places, works at his trade or calling, or who keeps open any place for the purpose of trading. Works of necessity are excluded, these including transport, the sale of "milk, and production on newspapers, while barbers are exempt until 9 a.m. Any person who, without colour of right, uses a motor car or vessel under circumstances -which cannot be regarded as theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act, is liable to a fine of £20 and, in addition, to pay a similar amount as compensation for any damage resulting from unlawful use. This does not relieve the offender of liability to civil action "for the recovery of damages in excess of £20. The definition of a public place'/ when dealing with indecency and vagrancy offences, is extended to include any place open to or used by the public, whether on payment of money or otherwise. The vagrancy section is extended to include any person found by night without lawful excuse (the onus of which shall be-upon him) in any building, enclosed area, or on any vessel. If no criminal intent is disclosed the maximum penalty is £10 or three months' imprisonment. Greater power is given constables to Beaich for pillaged goods, and magistrates are empowered to summarily convict in cases where persons have incurred credit not exceeding £50 by means of fraud, the penalty being three months' imprisonment or a fine of £20. The definition of "public place" in connection with insulting behaviour, which was narrow in the principle Act, is now defined to include in or in view of any public place. Pines recovered in respect of offences involving cruelty to animals are to be paid to any society which instituted proceedings. The Minister of Justice explained to the House that although boxing contests have been under police control, wrestling contests have not been the subject of supervision. The hill will remedy this deficiency. Sir. Wilford asked "if any clause deals , v with drivers of motor cars under the influence of liquor. The Minister replied that this would be the subject of a clause in the Motor ; Vehicles Bill.