Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPT. 27, 1935. DECREASE IN CRIME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 257, 27 September 1935, Page 8

Manawatu Evening Standard. FRIDAY, SEPT. 27, 1935. DECREASE IN CRIME.

The tendency for crime in New Zealand to decrease was again noted in the past calendar year. Statistics of the Police- Department presented to Parliament show a fewer number of crimes compared with 1933 of IUI6, these being of course offences reported to the police. The reduction two years ago compared with 1932 was no less than 2066. New Zealand people are, in fact, a reasonably law abiding people, a national trait that has been praised on numerous occasions. It is a matter for congratulation that during years of acute hardship the tendency should be for crime to decrease, particularly iu the serious categories, when a movement in the opposite direction might very well have been anticipated. In the analysis of serious crimes comprised in the Commissioner’s report, there have been fewer burglaries, murders, attempted murders, and cases of arson and receiving stolen property. In 1933 the high number of 22 murders were reported to the police. That was a most regrettable feature of the statistics. In the previous year the figure was 15, which the Commissioner had occasion to remark was regrettably high. The increase in 1933 was therefore of serious concern to the community; but there_ lias been a reduction to 16, which it will be hoped will be accentuated still further in the present year. The sobriety of New Zealanders again receives emphasis from the figures in the report. In 1932 arrests of people for drunkenness were 818 less than in the previous twelve months, and at 4387 were lower than in any period since 1878, when the population was uot much more than a quarter of to-day’s. In the subsequent two years this very favourable position has been maintained, and arrests last year were 3294, more than a thousand less than in 1932. The crime figures for Palmerston North, while not so favourable, are not by any means alarming, as the principal increases do not come wjthin the very serious categories. Theft, vagrancy, and failure to maintain account for a large proportion of the increase of 173 in offences reported, and breaches of the Licensing Act for most of the remainder, the officer in charge attributing the increase in the former three classes to lack of work, and in the latter to an increased vigilance of the police. An interesting feature of the year’s work is contained in the operations of the finger print department. The scientific detection of 'criminals is making important and to - the trained officers most interesting advances, and the fact is worthy of note that since the inception of the finger-print system 6309 people have been identified by it. The standard of the police work is on a high plane and deserves the public’s commendation. The Commissioner has drawn attention to the need for an increase of 20 constables in the permanent staff, to meet the demands of places which regard their police protection as not sufficient for their requirements. Last year the important departure was made of a police reserve in each of the four chief centres, and the Commissioner regards it both as a valuable training ground for recruits and-as a useful adjunct for the Force. It should fulfill both of these aims. The Government cannot disregard the request to have further police enrolled to meet legitimate requirements. For their loyal and efficient service the Force have established a proud record, both in the uniform and the detective branch, .and their efficiency can-,

not on any account be impaired by a deficiency in numbers essential to maintain adequate protection of the community’s goods and the public. An important departure in the present year is the intention to despatch two detectives for special training to Scotland Yard. The need to keep wholly abreast with modern crime developments and the detection of criminals is an adequate reason for this arrangement, and the officers on their return should be able to impart to their fellow members much valuable knowledge.