POLICE OFFENCES ACT

Evening Star, Issue 18690, 19 July 1924, Page 9

POLICE OFFENCES ACT

EXTENDED POIEKS. MOTOR THIEVING AND SUIIDA7 TRADING. [Feok Dot. Pabliambntaux Repoeteh.]., WELLINGTON, July 18. An amendment of the Police Offences Act, introduced by Governor’s Message in the House to-day, is on the_ lines of the Bill introduced last session, but numbered (as Mr Parr, Minister of Justice, explained) among the “ slaughtered innocents.” Its main features deal with an extension of tho law relating to motor thefts and to Sunday trading. The original penalty for Sunday trading was a maximum of £l, but the Bill provides for a £5 maximum as tho penalty for any person who, in view of public places, works at his trade or calling, or who keeps open any place for the purpose of trading. Some works of necessity are excluded, these including tho transport and sale of milk and tho production of newspapers, while barbers are exempt until 9 a.m. Any person who, without color of right, uses a motor car or vessel under circumstances which cannot be regarded as theft within the meaning of the Crimes Act, is liable to a fine of £2O, and, in addition, to pay a similar amount as compensation for any damage resulting from tho unlawful use. This does not relievo the offender of liability to civil action for the recovery of damages in excess of the £2O. ~ The definition of a public place, when dealing with indecency and vagrancy offences, is extended to include any place open to be used by the public, whether on tho payment of money or otherwise. . , The vagrancy section is extended to include any person found by night without lawful excuse (the tonus of which shall be upon the defendant) in any building, enclosed area-, or on any vessel. If no criminal intent Is disclosed the maximum penalty is £lO, or three months’ imprisonment. Greater power is given constables to search for pillaged goods, and magistrates are empowered to summarily convict in cases where _ persons have incurred credit, not exceeding £SO, by means of fraud, the penalty being three months’ imprisonment, or a fine of £2O. The definition of “ public place,” in connection with insulting behaviour, which was narrow in the principal Act, is now defined to include “in, or in view of, any public place.” Fines recovered in respect of offences of cruelty to animals are to he paid to any society which institutes proceedings. The Minister of Justice explained to the House that although boxing contests have been under police control, wrestling contests have not been subject to supervision. Tho Bill will remedy this deficiency. Mr Wilford asked if any clause deals with the drivers of motor cars under tho influence of liquor. The Minister replied that this would bo the subject of a clause in the Motor Vehicles Bill.