M.P. calls for firmer law enforcement

Press, 11 April 1978, Page 2

M.P. calls for firmer law enforcement

Wellington reporter The time has come when consideration must be given to allowing no remission of sentence for premeditated murder, drug trafficking, and other serious and repetitive crimes against the person, according to the member of Parliament for Wigram (Mr M A Connelly). He told a S.P.U.C. seminar

in Christchurch at the weekend that where crime was running a high level, or increasing significantly, the law should be reviewed to ensure that penalties acted as a sufficient deterrent. This should be so particularly where attacks occurred against police, prison, and j traffic officers. I One of the most disturb--1 ing features at present was the deliberate rejection of I authority, particularly by [younger groups in the community, Mr Connelly said. This reflected the disturbance of moral values and consequent decline in standards of moral conduct and respect for the law. According to police statistics, 243,000 offences were l reported in 1976, compared with 125,000 in 1966. Already crime, violence, drug trafficking, and offences against the person are at unacceptable level,” Mr Connelly said. If no action is taken the position could worsen.” More policemen were

needed, he said. In many metropolitan areas people, particularly the elderly, are airaid to go out at night,” Mr Connelly said. Parents are similarly apprehensive about the safety ot their children. An over-all increase in the police establishment was required, not just a transfer to different functions. Conditions of service and career prospects must be such that suitable applicants would join the police and would want to stay, Mr Connelly said.