Mr Hanan Concerned At Views On Penalties

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30190, 23 July 1963, Page 16

Mr Hanan Concerned At Views On Penalties

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 22. The National Party conference today began discussing what will probably be its most important and controversial issue —the possible reintroduction of corporal punishment. A remit, sponsored by 15 electorates, will be considered by the conference tomorrow morning. It calls on the Government either to restore corporal punishment or to hold a referendum on the issue.

It is understood that the Minister of Justice (Mr Hanan) will speak strongly against such a reintroduction.

Today, the conference split into four committees to discuss remits which also will be presented to the full conference. Two which were keenly discussed concerned penalties for assault and crimes against women and children.

Mr Hanan was present during discussion of both these remits and warned delegates “not to let amotion dominate reason.” A further remit that the Government consider holding a referendum on the reintroduction of capital punishment for certain types of murder, will also be considered by the conference tomorrow. The corporal punishment recommendation has appeared in various forms at two previous National Party conferences, but has not been acted upon by the Government In one remit, the Government was asked to consider the “puzzling disparity" in penalties awarded in apparently similar cases, and the impression that those found guilty of the crimes mentioned were not punished with the severity the offences merited. “Something Wrong” Mr Hanan said he had confidence in the judiciary, but he was concerned about the fact that thousands of people in the country obviously held feelings which were discernible in the essence of the remit "Something is wrong somewhere," he said. "Whether it is because of inadequate cover in the press or whether insufficient explanations are given by magistrates and judges, I don’t know.

"However, if the remit is carried, I feel justified ir taking the point to the Chie Justice,” he said. The Government had made quite a number of alterations concerning sentences for various crimes, Mr Hanan said These alterations made the sentences stiffer. “For instance, a second conviction for rape means preventive detention for life,” he said.

The Government had also stiffened sentences relating to sexual offences against children. Mr Hanan said: “We have given the courts the power.” Gang Rape He added'that gang rapes had concerned the Government greatly. There were two cases in 1958, one in 1959, one in 1960, seven in 1961 ("the bad year"), one in 1962 and only one case so far in 1963.

“We don't want to get completely excited. Don’t let emotion dominate reason,” he saad The Government was conscious of public opinion. Earlier, speakers had commented on “confusing disparities” in sentences imposed for the same offences.

Mr C. Pryor (North Shore) said he felt that the penalties were sufficient, but that the people at large could not see. on the face of press reports, why there were disparities in sentences. Mr J. B. Robertson (Dunedin North) said he considered the remit a “severe criticism” of the judiciary. The sentencing of offenders concerned something which conference members, as laymen, could not fully understand.

The remit was passed by .he committee and will go oefore the full conference tomorrow.

Also approved was a remit concerning crimes against women and children. It asked that further consideration be given to four suggestions, that-

(1) A public statement be made that more severe penalties, including minimum penalties, will be imposed in future and that this should be followed by appropriate action in respect of the offences and all offences against elderly people. (2) Further restrictions should be placed on publications, periodicals, novels and films in respect of all material having a tendency to deprave.

(3) Habitual sexual offend, ers should be segregated as it was felt that the harm they did could only be avoided by preventive detention. (4) The best deterrent is certainty of punishment, and

to this end every method should be employed to improve both methods of detection and co-operation between public and police. ' “Women Appalled” Proposing this remit, Mrs J. Wilson (Karori) said the women of New Zealand and many others were appalled by some of the cases. She said women were concerned that the punishment for several crimes was not nearly severe enough. Mr Hanan and the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said there was nothing wrong with the conference imposing its views on the judiciary through the Government. However, difficulties were involved concerning minimum penalties After further discussion the remit was passed. It also will go before the full conference.