Crime rate

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32667, 24 July 1971, Page 16

Crime rate

I Sir, —The 28 per cent increase in crime is alarming; also an admission of failure by Chief Superintendent G. Tait to make our streets and homes safer. The police' are partly, not wholly to blam. The Government is a reflection of society, and society is to blame. But we have a Government that is blinded by materialism. It is prepared to marshal the resources of the State to guarantee the sanctity of the money-lender’s dollar, but not the money-lender’s daughter. It pursues policies that place a premium on profit, on interest, on money, to I the detriment of people and Ito the detriment of human jand social values. The problems of law and order go much more deeply than merely crime prevention and apprehension. Mr Tait has stated that young Maoris are living by stealth. Stealth is a word ruled as unparliamentary by Mr Speaker. Young Maoris are being exploited by stealth.—Yours, etc., FLEMING ROSS MILLER. July 23, 1971.

Sir, —I very much admire Mr Tait and his down-to-earth comments. I could listen to or read for hours of his work and experience: with people. One must say it is marvellous that he still has a sense of humour and I congratulate him for this.— Yours, etc., J. July 22, 1971.

Sir,—l fully endorse the Chief Superintendent’s remarks. These people who are so ready to criticise the police, including lawyers and psychiatrists, are to my mind not helping to uphold the laws of our country; What