CAR CONVERSION

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 13

CAR CONVERSION

Same Penalty As For

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Reference t<> Hie penally for Hie 'offence of converting a motor-ear to the offender's own use was made yesterday in a statement issued by the Attorney-General. .Mr. Mason, lie said the penalty provided for this class ot crime was Hie same as for theft., “I noticed a renewed circulation 01. Un-, suggestion that Hie law looks lightly ou Hie theft of motor-cars, said Mr. .Mason. -Tins suggestion is so calculated to increase Hie commission of crime that when I find. ns .1. do, that it. is accepted and promulgated by leading newspapers, I feel bound to issue a definite contradiction. Under section 217 of the Crimes Act, Hie theft of :i ear may be punished by two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. 'lbis is the same punishment as for most other thefts. ‘•'The offence of converting a car to Ibe offender's use has by no means displaced the charge of theft of a car, but is an addition to the list of offences. Theft involves an intention to deprive the owner of his property permanently. It was long ago decided that a man might steal a ride on a donkey without stealing the donkey, and it was to meet this idea in the case of the motor-ear that the new offence was created of unlawfully 7 converting a motor-car. A conviction might be obtained for this offence where a jury could, not he persuaded that Hu; offender had the intention to appropriate the ear permanently. There is no similar offence of converting a donkey to one's own use. Hence the car has a greater protection, not a lesser one, than has the horse or donkey. “Further, rhe punishment for conversion is two years’ imprisonment with hard labour —the same as for theft. 1 have tried to make the matter understandable to those without knowledge of the law, but whether I have succeeded or not. .1 hope they will be careful to refrain from assertions concerning the law which, however intended, are incorrect and can only conduce to lawlessness and the increase of crime. Offenders should understand that at law there is adequate punishment available.”