Gaol Term For Bribery

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32222, 14 February 1970, Page 48

Gaol Term For Bribery

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. b Feb. 13. I’ Stuart Frederick], Caldow, a managing director, was sentenced to nine months gaol on a charge of corruptly giving a bribe to Harold! 1 John Head, a Customs! officer, when he appeared for sentence before the Chief Justice (Sir Rich-j aid Wild). Caldow had been found; guilty by a jury. His Honour also imposed a! fine of $750 on the firm of' M. P. Caldow’ and Company. ' Ltd, which was jointly convicted with Caldow on the; charge. His Honour said he need not emphasise the seriousness of the offence, “which would, if it became prevalent, as it might do if the courts were too lenient, quickly erode confidence in the Public Service." Mr F. D. O’Flynn, Q.C., who; with Mr D. A. Christie ap-j peared for both accused, said]

there was a reasonable tntetence from the evidence that Caldow did not corrupt Head, who was already engaged in a, widespread racket before Caldow came into it. The first approach was from Head to Caldow. The accused had already been severely punished by the drawn-out nature of the proceedings as the police investigations had lasted two years ’and a half, counsel said. There had been a cat-and-mouse atmosphere, and Caldow had been under great strain throughout. Severe financial penalties had also been imposed as the | Customs Department had sus-l pended all the company’s import licences to a total value of $70,000 during that time.! and the bank had frozen its! overdraft.

The Crown Prosecutor (Mr ■J. H. C. Larsen) said the ■ ! police investigations took so “long because 330,000 entries had to be examined in the course of inquiries. ' His Honour said he certainly had no wish to prolong the accused's ordeal. Parlia- '! ment regarded the giving of a bribe as apparently less serious than accepting one. ; The maximum penalty under the Crimes Act for taking a bribe was seven years, whereas for giving a bribe it was i three years. “Just why a public servant !; should be punished more seriously for taking a bribe I than a businessman for giving ;it is not clear to me but that l is the law and 1 must administer it." His Honour said.