Prison terms urged for littering

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 2

Prison terms urged for littering

I PA Wellington: I Two-month jail terms for persons depositing dan- ‘ gerous or poisonous litter are advocated in a report by the Litter Control Council. It also wants the Litter Act, 1968, amended to provide for fines of up to $4OO for persons depositing such litter or, in the case of ■bodies corporate, fines of up ! ( to $2OOO. The report, prepared for ; the Minister of Internal Af- ’ fairs (Mr Highet), also calls ; for a scheme to serve indi- ’ vidual litterers with offence II notices on the spot and later ■ fine them $2O. It suggests that all mem- ■ bers of the police and traffic ■ officers should have full 11 powers as litter-control t. Persons specifically • trained as litter-control officers should also be ap- ,; pointed.

The report outlines a com- . prehensive attack on the lit--1 ter problem in New Zealand which involves a two- •! pronged campaign aimed at '.changing the attitudes and ' behaviour of New Zealand- • ers toward littering. It would involve a nation al education programme i! covering all age-groups. f “There should be a specific programme for I c i t i e s and towns (directed at the entire ■: community, seeking their coil operation in creating a sys- •, tematic approach to achieve > ! a reduction of litter to the ri lowest possible level in that community,” says the report. The council advocates the yearly introduction of a reI vised and updated litter bill II incorporating its recomImendations. The council also wants itI self to be restructured to ef- • ficiently manage the proposed programme. A finan-

cial restructuring should ■ be shared between the Gov-1 eminent, industry, and commerce, it says. Mr Highet complimented the council on the report but said that the Government could not be committed by the recommendations. “But I can assure the Litter Council that I and my Parliamentary colleagues will give it very full consideration.” The idea of issuing litterinfringement notices might be desirable at beaches, parks, and picnic spots but would not be appropriate in places such as sports grounds and racecourses. “Consideration has already been given to amending the existing litter legislation and, with this report, it might be appropriate to refer any new legislation to a select committee for study over the next parliamentary recess,” he said.