SUPPRESSION OF NAMES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 97, 24 March 1926, Page 10

SUPPRESSION OF NAMES.

MAGISTRATE'S REFUSAL

PUBLICITY AS PUNISHMENT

Per Press Association

AUCKLAND, March 22. “These two men have nover been in trouble before. Will Your Worship order the suppression of their names?'’ asked Mr ,Dickson in the Magistrate’s Court tq-day, on behalf of two men who were lined £2 for stealing four botUfes of beor. ‘<No, I will not suppress their Jiames,” said the Magistrate (Mr E. K. Hunt) emphatically. Mr Dickson: These men have never been in trouble before. I would like —

Mr Hunt: I won’t suppress their names, so that’s the end of it. Mr Dickson: I insist upon argument.

Mr Hunt: Not now. You can argue as long as you like afterwards, when wo come to the end of the list. All the argument in the world won’t mako any . mpression on me. Mr Did non: What’s that, Y’our Worship? I submit that if you say that no argument that I place before you can— MiyHunt: Not in this case. These men havo pleaded guilty to stealing another man’s beer.

Mr Dickson: I insist upon arguing the matter at the end of the list, sir. The matter was then stood down until all tho other cases had been disposed of. When the case was reopened, Mr Hunt said it was no form of punishment at all if tho names of tho offenders were suppressed. Every case depended upon the circumstances. In tho present case both accused had pleaded guilty to the theft of beer. “Yyell, I formally make application for the suppression of their names, as both my clients are first offenders,’ said Mr Dickson. Secondly, they are married men, and the publicity is going to punish them far greater than the fine imposod.” Mr Hunt: Yes, of course, it will. Mr Dickson: I suggest that it would be greater in proportion to the offences. I also suggest to Your Worship that tho whole law is favourable towards tho suppression of offenders’ najnes. This Court has in the past been in the habit of suppressing the names of first offenders. That has been tho attitude adopted by one Magistrate. Mr Hunt: Yes, and this is the attitude of another Magistrate. Counsel pointed out that there was a clause in tho Probation Act which stated that the Magistrate'-'could exerciso his discretion in suppressing the names of first offenders. Mr Justice Stringer suppressed the name of an offonder in the Supreme Court. “Yes, but ho said he was very, reluctant to do it,” replied Mr Hunt. Mr Dickson: Well, I suggest that tho whole policy of the law is in the direction of suppressing the names of first offenders. I also suggest that the press should have no influence upon what the Court decides on the question of the suppression of names. The press of Auckland took up an unfair and unreasonable attitude, and is trying to dictate to the. Court. We hear a great howl from tho press because a Magistrate suppresses a name. Mr Hunt: Well, I refuse your application in this case. "NV hero circumstances, in my opinion, warrant my suppressing a name, I will do it, but not in tnese cases. The accused pleaded guilty. ,In such cases as these publicity is tho only punishment. The application is refused.