SUPPRESSION OF NAMES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 142, 19 June 1925, Page 4

SUPPRESSION OF NAMES

DESTROYING A SALUTARY

CHECK.

<BI WIIQRAPH.— SPECLH TO THJ POST.)

AUCKLAND, This Day. Reverting to a question that has been attracting a lot of attention lately the Herald" says : "Once again it has been shown how orders from the Bench that names of convicted offenders, shall not be published destroy the very salutary check upon those inclined to take liberties with the law. A man quite old enough to know better took possession of a motor-car standing in the street, drove off in it, and sent it crashing through a shop_ window. From all the circumstances it might just as likely have been a life instead of property of which toll was taken. The affair was described as a drnnkeri escapade.' So probably it was, but that does not lessen its culpability. There have been far too many instances of late in which people under the influence of liquor have done damage while driving their' own cars, or after setting off in a spirit of utter irresponsibility to drive one left temporarily unattended. These cases appeal to the unprejudiced observer as boing exactly the kind in which the prospect of publicity would exert a sobering influence! Yet here it has beeu forbidden. If the Courts are going to regard offences as this one was regarded they will be increasing the work they have to do by fostering irresponsibility. There, are, of course, exceptional cases where the suppression of names can be universally approved. They . should ba kept exceptional."