SALES AT UNCLE’S!

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1934, Page 7

SALES AT UNCLE’S!

A BILL CRITICISED Bicycle Thefts Cited WELLINGTON, October 4. “This is Another instance of the vendetta of a <• lass-conscious Government against the masses of the people,’’ declared Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Ind., Eden), referring in the House of Representatives to the provisions in the Second-hand Dealers Amendment Bill. ‘‘lt is unwarranted interference with trade. I have no sympathy with those who commit theft or petty larMr. W. I’. Endean (C., Parnell): What do you know about criminal law? Mr. Stallworthy: I have for three years been associated with the honourable gentleman, and that is sufficient proof of my knowledge of criminal law. The Chairman of Committees (Mr. S. G. Smith) immediately called Mr Stallworthy to order. “I want to know exactly what was meant by that,” he said. “Is it a personal reflection?’’ Mr. Stallworthy: Oh, no. The honourable gentleman is in the legal profession. Mr Stallworthy considered that the ■bill was unwarrantable interference with trade. The prevalence of bicycle thefts in Christchurch was one of the main reasons for the introduction this session of the Bill, it appeared. Labour members suggested that the provision making it necessary to hold good for a month before re-selling, should apply only to certain goods, such as jewellery or bicycles* Air. Cobbe, replying, said the Minister had power to exempt certain classes of articles from the provisions of the bill. Regulations were now being drawn up. It was not intended that the bill should apply to furniture and such articles. The schedule of exemptions would be drawn up without delay.

Mr. Armstrong, who claimed that the scope of the bill was far too wide, admitted that the police in Christ church needed greater powers than they had at present in detecting bi cycle thefts. Bicycle thieves were about the meanest and st contemptible of criminals. Every day in a Christchurch working week some working man’s bicycle was stolen, and a further burden placed on the shoulders of someone unable to bear it. The stolen bicycle could be taken to a second-hand dealer’s shop, and if the dealer were not honest it was the easiest thing in the world for him to mix up the parts with those of other machines. This made detection practically impossible. The bill before the House would require that second-hand goods should be retained by a dealer for one month without being tampered with or altered in any way. That was all right for bicycles and jewellery: but it was ridiculous to apply such restrictions to goods which were not so easily disposed of. The bill should be re-drafted to include un’y specified a rticl.es.

Air Cobbe said that 1000 bicycles were stolen in Christchurch every year. This was an appalling state of affairs, and the bill was designed to correct it. No honest dealer had any reason Io fear the bill, and unreasonable re strictions would not be placed on the sale and resale, of such things as books, furniture and motor-cars as some members seemed to think.

An amendment to the bill, brought down this evening, gave the Government power to exclude any article or class of articles from the operation of this time clause. Air. F. W. Schramm (Lab.. Auckland East) said a schedule should be added to the bill so that persons affected should know exactly where they stood. He suggested that that aspect should be referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

Air. IT. G. R. Mason (Lab., Auckland Suburbs) contended that the Minister should specify the articles to which the bill referred, not those which he proposed to exempt. The power taken by the Minister under the bill was too autocratic. Air Stallworthy called for a division on the short title, which was passed by 33 votes to 25.

Air Cobbe moved to amend clause six in the direction of giving the Gov-ernor-General power by order-in-council to exempt any second-hand articles from the operations of the bill. Air. W. E. Parry (Lab., Auckland Central) asked the Alinister to outline articles that would be included in the schedule. Air Cobbe said it would be a tremendous task to enumerate all the articles to which the bill should apply. Air Armstrong contended that there were probably not more than half-a-dozen articles which the police desired should be covered by the bill. The Alinister should find out what those articles were and include them in the schedule, which could be added to from time to time.

Other members submitted that sec-ond-hand dealers would be unduly harassed by the operations of the bill. Air. Cobbe agreel to hold over clause six for further consideration. The remaining clauses were agreed to.