AUCKLAND THIEVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1925, Page 6

AUCKLAND THIEVES

ADVANTAGES OF PUBLICITY.

(Per Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, June 13.

A strong plea by three solicitors for the suppression of the names of four young men who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of theft from warehouses and receiving stolen goods was refused by Mr J. W. Pbynton, S.M. The request for suppression of the names was made on the ground that they were young men and had succumbed to the temptation of being surrounded by large quantities of goods.

“Where there is a combinaion to commit crime, it is more grave than a case of individual giving way to temptation,” said Mr Poynton in refusing the application. “It is sympathetic of a deeper social malady and concerns the community much more than solitary cases. There is a greater dread of exposure among the conspirators and the inducement to terrorise, and even murder, to prevent discovery is very-' strong. We see present-day examples in the O’Brien and Brady feuds in Melbourne, the murder gangs in Chicago, and the war between the rival racial clubs in London, leading to bloodshed and other crimes of violence. Where a number of intending law-breakers unite to prey on others, and do so, as in this case, it is right that the community should know them.”

The suggestion of combination was again refuted by Mr Oliphant, who later made a further appeal for the suppression of the names at least until after sentence had been passed. Mr Poynton : In these cases not only names, but also photographs should be published. Combinations are dangerous to the public, and it is a case where the interests of society are concerned.

The Magistrate deferred sentence for a week, bail in each case being allowed.