Light Criminal Calendar At Auckland

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 10

Light Criminal Calendar At Auckland

AUCKLAND, Yesterday (PA). — The lightness of the criminal calendar was commented on by Mr, Justice Finlay in his address to the Grand Jury when the fourth quarterly sessions opened in the Auckland Supreme Court today. There were 20 cases only, compared with 40 odd which in recent years had become a normal number in this district, said His Honour. Burglary was still prevalent, but had not found its way into the calendar to any great extent. “Burglars never understand that the day of retribution always comes,” His Honour remarked. “There have been crimes of violence in the community, but there has been a welcome subsidence.” The wenk man would always be with us until we returned to the cardinal virtues of uprightness, honesty and good character generally. “We won’t return there,” His Honour concluded, “unless wo realise that the law as an instrument jf social control is very limited and can never take over the burden that in the nnst has been carried by the home, the school, and the church—all organisations which have been proved so effective in inculcating the principle of good character and responsibility You will see how the breach of these principles lies at the root of the causes vou have to consider.”