SHOULD BE KNOWN

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 218, 15 June 1925, Page 8

SHOULD BE KNOWN

NAMES OF “UNITED” LAWBREAKERS MAGISTRATE’S STRONG REMARKS Br Telegraph— Special Correspondent. Auckland, June 11. A plea by three solicitors for the Suppression of the names of four young men who appeared in the Police Court on Friday on charges of .theft from warehouses and “receiving” allegedly stolen goods, was refused by Air. J. W. Poynton, S.M. The application was made on the ground that accused were young men, and had succumbed to the temptation of being surrounded by large quantities of goods. “Where there is a combination to commit crime, it is graver than the case of an individual giving way to temptation,” said His Worship, in refusing the application. “It is sympathetic of a deeper social malady and concerns the community much more than the solitary cases. There is greater dread pf exposure among the conspirators, and the inducement to terrorise, and even murder, to prevent discovery is very strong. We see present dav examples in the O’Brien and Brady feuds in Alelbourne, the murder gang in Chicago, and the war between the rival racial clubs in London leading to bloodshed and other crimes of violence. Where a number of intending lawbieakers unite to prey on others and do so as in this case, it is right that the community should know them.” Suggestion of combination was refuted by Mr. Oliphant, whe latet made a further appeal for the suppression of names at least until after sentence had been passed. His Honour - In these cases not only names, but also photographs, should be published. Combinations are dangerous tc the public, and it is a ease where the interests of society are concerned.” 'rhe Magistrate deferred sentence for a week, bail in each case being allowed.