DISCRETION URGED

Evening Star, Issue 22893, 26 February 1938, Page 22

DISCRETION URGED

PUBLIC IN HOTELS AFTER HOURS MAGISTRATE'S ADVICE [Pea United Pbess Association.] .WELLINGTON, February 25. The necessity for police officers exercising discretion in the matter of approaching people found on or coming out of city hotel premises was stressed by Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., in dealing with a case which he dismissed. “ Public places are open at night for quite legitimate business,” Mr Luxford said, “and if anybody who comes out of an hotel is going to be required to give an explanation to the police it is going to bo a very serious matter. I quite realise that the onus is on any person, who is found on or coming out of licensed premises to account for his presence there, but in a city like Wellington, where there are many residential hotels, if everybody has to give an explanation it is going to be oppressive. The police have a duty and should exercise that duty with what is called discretion.” It was certainly a matter which required the consideration of the police, and they should carry out their duty With the least possible amount of annoyance to the Wellington public, Mr Luxford concluded.