A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE

Evening Star, Issue 18044, 11 August 1922, Page 2

A DANGEROUS LOOPHOLE

APPEARANCE AND AGE OP CONSENT. CRIMES ACT AMENDMENT URGED. A deputation representing the women’s . branch of tho Social Hygiene Society waited on tho Prime Minister at Wellington yesterday with the Object of seeming an alteration in tho Grimes Act, in order to provide better protection for young girls. Tho speakers said that sexual oflcncca against young girls were far too numerous, and they desired tho removal from tho Aot of the provision which allowed a man to plead that lie had reason to the girl was over tho ago of consent. They also considered that the present six months limit to the bringing of a charge allowed many guilty men to escape. Mrs Robertson stated that there were | several cases last year of girls becoming expectant mothers and l suffering from venereal disease. Mrs Henderson Begg said that many of the offences were premeditated 1 . • Mr Dickson, M.P., chairman of tho committee which heard the evidence on the subject last year, stated that the committee was unanimous that the few should he amended. Mr 11. A. Wright, M.P., said that ho wanted to protect girls, but did not want to make criminals of young men. Jlr Massey, in reply, said l that he was convinced that an amendment of tho law was necessary. There was no doubt that it gave guilty persons an opportunity to get off, one that should not be available. He thought that the period within which information could be laid was too short. The Hon. E. P. Leo said that the records would show that the number of cases where tho defence had reasonable cause to believe that the girl was over age was not great. The time of laying a charge might be extended, and probably tho risk of the guilty party escaping would be decreased. Mi- Massey said that ho would confer with the Minister of Justice on the subject, and would probably make tho remedy more drastic.