INCREASE IN CRIME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23124, 24 August 1938, Page 15

INCREASE IN CRIME

REASONS SOUGHT AN EXPLANATION DOUBTED VIGILANCE OF THE POLICE [by telegraph—special reporterl WELLINGTON, Tuesday Reasons for tho increase in crime in New Zealand were sought by members of the Opposition during consideration of the estimate!! of tho Police Department. in the House of Representatives to-day. "Is it a fact that crime is increasing?" asked the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton. "According to the annual report of the Police Department there was more crime last year than the year before. Tho statistics in the report show an increase of 10 per cent in the amount of serious crime."

Tho Minister in charge of the Police Department, tho Hon. P. Fraser: It is probably proof that tho police are more vigilant. Mr. Hamilton: I would be happy to think that is so. Mr. Fraser: I think that is the explanation. "It is a peculiar fact," said Mr. Hamilton, "but there appears to have been less crime during tho years of the depression. One would expect more crime in poorer times." Mr. Fraser: At last the Leader of the Opposition has found a justification for the depression.

Later in the discussion Mr. Hamilton asked for an explanation of the increase of 2G in the personnel of the Police Force. Were more men required to deal with the greater number of offences, lie asked, or had' tbe shorter hour's made it necessary to increase the strength of tho force?

Mr. Eraser said that last year's increase in the number of men represented the natural growth of the police force to meet the demands of the country, more particularly the requirements of suburban areas. A progressive increase could be expected. Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition— Waitomo) said ho hoped the greater number of offerees that had been committed was not the result of the extra leisure now available.

The Bt. Hon. J. G. Coates (Opposition—Kaipara) mentioned that several murders were unsolved.

Mr. Eraser: The percentage of unsolved murders is smaller than previously.

RADIO IN EDUCATION MORE USE ADVOCATED THE CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Tuesday The use of radio by the Education Department's correspondence school was advocated by Mr. S. G. Holland (Opposition—Christchurch North) during consideration of the estimates of the department in the House of Bcpresentatives to-night. He considered the correspondence school was doing wonderful work and no praise was too high. Ho thought it was another case where New Zealand led the world. "I suggest that the radio might well be used for the purpose of explaining the lessons to pupils of the correspondence school," said Mr. Holland. "I have friends and relatives in remote districts and I know something of the difficulty of parents acting as teachers during busy farm seasons." The Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, said the radio was being used in some of the schools to-day. The question of extending the service was recei vi ng con sidera tion.