MUCH CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23041, 3 September 1949, Page 4

MUCH CRIME IN NEW ZEALAND

Y|HIILE in certain categories of crime there was a decrease in the number of offences in 1948-49, the general situation is one of continued increase, according to the annua] report of the Commissioner of Police. The total number of offences was 37,046 compared with 34,62 Sin 1947-48, an increase of 2418. These statistics are disturbing. There was an increase in the number of cases of forgery, false pretences, uttering forged documents or certificates, obtaining credit by fraud, indecent offences, intoxication in charge of motor vehicles, theft and drunkenness, but a decrease relating to breaking and entering shops and houses, receiving stolen property, unlawfully using motor-cars, reckless or negligent driving, incest, rape, carnal knowledge and the possession of liquor near dance halls.

Thirteen murders were committed in the Dominion last year compared with 12 in 1947-48, assault causing actual bodily harm 31 (19), assault. 801 (780), theft (undescribed) 8682 (7939), false pretences 956 (725), burglary 90 (39), forgery 223 (88), mischief 723 (604). and drunkenness 2949 (2315). The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cummings, has previously stated that while crime has not increased to the extent it did after the First World War and has not reached the same degree of seriousness as in Britain, there is still far too much of it in a small country like New Zealand. With this comment all law-abiding citizens will wholeheartedly concur. Mr. Cummings has drawn attention to the amount of crime committed by young people which lie attributes to present-day economic conditions. Youths, he contends, are earning too much money too easily. There should he full agreement, too. with recent, comments by Mr. Justice Finlay that if wrongdoing was opposed by an active reprobation on the part of the public as a whole, then wrongdoing could never thrive. Normally society delegates the duty of protection to the police, but there arc circumstances where they may be too few or too preoccupied. Then comes the necessity for awakening the public conscience so that citizens generally can co-operate in the enforcement of the law and the protection of one another’s interests. The most disquiet on in g aspect of the present situation is evidence of increasing disrespect for the law, a tendency which must lie halted.