“DON’T TEMPT THEM.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 26 August 1926, Page 7

“DON’T TEMPT THEM.

AMAZING OFFICIAL REPLY. TO SYDNEY SHOPKEEPERS. SYDNEY, Aug. 13. Shoplifting, which in Sydney is responsible' each year for losses to retail establishments amounting ini the aggregate to nearly £IOO,OOO, has grown to such an extent that recently the Shopkeepers’ Association approached the Government to tighten up the laws and provide heavier penalties. Their spokesman instanced the fact that' there are now gangs of shi.pl if ters working the shops, and pointed out that the section of the Act which allows first offenders to he tried behind closed doors has amounted to .am abuse. For many of those who seek the trial in. camera, though it may be the first time they are caught, it is not their first offence, and while they are without a conviction they command l big money from shoplifting gangs. An extraordinary attitude was taken up by the' Government over the matter. as is instanced by the reply received this week to the deputation. “The information .available.” according to the Minister of Justice, “indicates that the more serious offenders comprise organised 1 gangs, and that. from time to time, the police have succeeded iii' effecting a large number of arrests.

“While, however, their efforts in this direction will continue, the fact remains that much of the shoplifting is attributable to the manner in which large quantities of easily concealed goods are displayed on counters in shops, especaillv during sale time, and the great number of people handling these goods without adequate supervision makes the commission of offences easier than it otherwise would lie. “The evil would he- effectively checked if firms took more effective steps in the direction of greater supervision of money in their purses.” It is claimed by shopkeepers who are complaining that DO per cent of the shoplifters are women who act on the impulse of the moment when in the presence of pretty things displayed on the counters.

firm in the knowledge that their cases, firm in the knowledge that, tehir cases. j.f they are caught, will be heard behind closed doors, and that no publicity will be given to their lapse. In nearly every case the women mentioned have more than ten times the value of the' goods they have stolen in money in their purses. Further action is contemplated by the retailers.