DEFIANCE OF THE LAW.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18048, 17 June 1930, Page 8

DEFIANCE OF THE LAW.

ILLEGAL TRADING.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER

COMMISSIONER’S STATEMENT,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Tuesday

A deputation from the New Zealand Alliance waited on the Minister of Justice (Hon. J. G. Cobbe) this morning, asking for immediate and drastic action to put down law-breaking by licensed liquor sellers. Particular reference was made to after-hours and Sunday trading. It was stated that if the police were not ignorant of the offences they were guilty of a grave dereliction of duty, and if they were neither ignorant nor careless, but impotent, then it was the duty of the Government to give them power to prove that the liquor traffic was not stronger than the Government. The deputation regretted . the frequency with which cases of sly-grog selling were dismissed, and it was submitted that the law was weak and required strengthening. The Police Commissioner, Mr McIlveney, said he was not aware that the police passed offences by. Every complaint was investigated. He could not say to what extent sly-grog selling existed, but there was no doubt a certain amount went on. That would always happen. So far as the police were concerned, there was not a single case which came to their knowledge in which action was not taken. Personally, he would not hesitate to do his duty in the matter, and would see, to the best of his ability, that the law was enforced. It was to the interests of the trade and public generally that it should be enforced, but, first of all, it was necessary to have direct evidence to justify proceedings, and that was not always easy to obtain. The Minister gave an assurance that, so far as he was concerned, he would see that the law was enforced. Illegal traders would not be allowed to override the law.