VALUELESS CHEQUES Examination Of Penalties

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30739, 1 May 1965, Page 3

VALUELESS CHEQUES Examination Of Penalties

(N.Z. Press Association) WANGANUI, April 30. The penalties for passing valueless cheques will be examined by the executive of the Associated Chambers of Commerce.

At the chambers’ conference today, a remit tabled by Mr M. P. Skinner (Tauranga) called for higher penalties for the “misuse" of cheques. Mr Skinner said cheques were regularly used for every-day trading and a refusal to cash a cheque could affect a business’s trade. “While there are substantial maximum penalties for passing valueless cheques, magistrates have been in-

clined to blame the retailer,” he said. “In recent months, one has referrer to ‘greedy shopkeepers’ in this respect, and it has been inferred that those who have misused cheques are unfortunate people led astray by banks and shopkeepers.” Cheque forms could be obtained in two ways, by be.jming a depositor at a bank, or by theft. “Any misuse must therefore be premeditated. It is theft and should be treated as theft. However, this is not the present court. attitude,” said Mr Skinner. Mr Skinner said that in one week in Auckland, two girls who issued false cheques were placed on probation, a man who stole a newspaper from an honesty box was fined £5, and a person caught steal-

ing in a department store was sent to gaol for a month. “The punishments seem to be out of proportion. Theft can be spontaneous—cashing or uttering a false cheque must be premeditated,” he said. Mr B. J. Drake (Canterbury) said the penalties were high enough, but he said that if the remit were passed, it would mean the Associated Chambers were te"ing magistrates that they were not doing their jobs properly.

After considerable discussion, Mr B. H. Vickerman (Wellington) said the average penalty for misuse of cheques could well be raised.

Mr A. Dix (Palmerston North) said a great deal of shop-lifting had once taken place in Palmerston North. “An approach was made to the Judiciary and the penalty

was raised. Consequently, the incidence of shoplifting decreased,” he said. After more discussion, an amended remit —“that the executive be requested to examine the level of penalties for the drawing of false cheques, and the presenting of valueless cheques, and if found desirable, to consider a suitable course of action"— was adopted.

After the adoption of this remit, Mr Drake said the statement by Mr Dix should never have been made. A statement that the Judiciary had been approached should never have been said in conference, or made before the press. The president, Mr T. M. N. Rodgers (Palmerston North), said matters would only be made worse by continuing the discussion.