THEFT OF CARS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 10 December 1938, Page 8

THEFT OF CARS

ATTITUDE OF THE LAW SUGGESTION CONTRADICTED (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, 9th December. The question of motor-car thefts and their prevention was the subject of a statement made to-day by the AttorneyGeneral (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), who emphasised, for the benefit of would-be offenders, that there was at law adequate punishment available. “I notice a renewed circulation of the suggestion that the law looks lightly on the theft of motor-cars.” said Mr Mason. "This suggestion is so calculated to increase the commission of crime that when I find, as I do, that it is accepted and promulgated by leading newspapers, I feel bound to issue a definite contradiction. Under Section 247 of the Crimes Act. the theft of a car may be punished by two years’ imprisonment with hard labour. This is the same punishment as for most other thefts. “The offence of converting a car to the offender’s use has by no means displaced the charge of theft of a car. but is an addition to the list of offences. Theft involves an intention to deprive the owner of his property permanently. It was long ago decided that a man might steal a ride on a donkey without stealing the donkey, and it was to meet this plea in the case of the motor-car that the new offence was created of unlawfully converting a motor-car. A conviction might be obtained for this offence where a jury could not be persuaded that the offender had the intention to appropriate the car permanently. There is no similar offence of converting a donkey to one's own use. Hence the car has a greater protection, not a lesser one, than has the horse or donkey. “Further, the punishment for conversion is two years’ imprisonment with hard labour —the same as for theft. 1 have tried to make the matter understandable to those without knowledge of law, but whether I have succeeded or not. I hope they will be careful to refrain from assertions concerning the law which, however intended, are incorrect and can only conduce to lawlessness and the increase of crime. Offenders should understand that at law there is adequate punishment available.”