INCREASE IN CRIME.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 227, 24 August 1938, Page 8

INCREASE IN CRIME.

COMMENT IN THE HOUSE. (By Telegraph.—Special to Standard.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 24. A recorded increase in crime in New Zealand caused a question to be asked, of Hon. P. Fraser (Minister in Charge of the Police Department) when these Estimates were being considered by the House yesterday, lit. Hon. J. G. Coates raised the point, and was at once answered by the Minister, who suggested that it was because the police were more efficient. “But it seems as if several murderers have got away,” remarked Mr Coates, “and the ratio of crime has risen.”

The Minister reminded liis questioner that one of the undiscovered murders, at Riccarton, had happened during the previous Government’s regime. “Not that I am blaming them for that,” he hurriedly added. Tho Leader of the Opposition (Hon. A. Hamilton) also raised the point that there had been a 10 per cent, increase in serious crime. It was a peculiar fact that there was not so much crime in poorer times. The Minister: At last the lion, gentleman has found a justification for the depression. _ Mr Hamilton: It is a peculiar statistical fact.

Mr Coates, referring to the Minister’s interjection, remarked that he remembered Labour members, when in Opposition, bringing up the question of increased, crime. Even suicides were blamed on the Government and, of course, they were made responsible for bod times. However, he was not blaming the Minister, because he considered the Police Department was well run, from Commissioner downwards.