MORE STRINGENT PENALTY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 29 September 1933, Page 9

MORE STRINGENT PENALTY

THEFTS OF MOTOR CARS.

TERM “CONVERSION” RIDICULED.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. “The motor associations arc definitely of the opinion that the 'Government must accept a certain amount of responsibility for Constable 'Stewart’s injuries,” declared the president of the Automobile Association, in referring:, during outspoken comment to-day on the state of the law relating to motor car conversions, to the recent Auckland ease in which a constable was seriously hurt when pursuing a ear thief. , T .. He said that apparently the Justice Department did not realise the necessity for meeting requests for amendment of the law. Motorists could not understand the Department’s attitude in clinging to the term “conversion.” They claimed that the taking of'a motor car was nothing but theft. In most eases there was not the slightest intention to return the car. He was confident that car thefts would be minimised if the law were amended as requested. Mr Grayson added that other motor associations had expressed the wish to be associated with Auckland in makin<r a . present to Constable Stewart ami it was hoped to increase the sum to a figure more in keeping with the constable ’s brave action. The Mayor of Auckland would be asked to make the presentation. Superintendent S. Till, in charge or Auckland police district, said the -police realised the seriousness of the position and he had sent a report to the Commissioner personally. He could sec no reason why the law should not be altered to provide a greater penalty than three months gaol for conversions. He felt however, that motorists themselves were not altogether blameless. Many were careless about "locking their cars before leaving them in the street.