INCREASE IN CRIME

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18393, 29 July 1931, Page 8

INCREASE IN CRIME

DUE TO UNEMPLOYMENT. PLEA FOR SINGLE MEN. AUCKLAND, Wednesday. Mr Justice Smith, Avhen deliAering his charge to the grand jury at the opening of Hie criminal sessions of the Supreme Court yesterday, said there had been a considerable increase in serious crime, most of Avhich Avas provided by young, single men out of employment. At the February sitting last year, continued his Honour, there Avere 22 cases for trial, and in February this year 24; 14 cases in May of last year and 30 cases last May; 13 cases last July and 21 cases this July. So that for the corresponding period of last year- there were 49 cases, as compared with 75 to date this year 'His Honour said that In 1929 there Avere 67 prisoners for sentence on serious charges, 81 in 1930, and already this year there, had been 80, although there Avere still some months to go. The great increase had been In offences against property, and no doubt it AA’as a fair inference that,the men had been, out of Avork, and, being someAvhat adventurous, had taken to the method of breaking and entering and theft to replenish their pockets. His Honour said it seemed to folloav that any efforts to succour single men Avould have, perhaps, some effect upon diminishing serious crime in the district. Most philanthropic activities were. directed to other than single young men,, but it was clear that the increase in crime lay in this class, and it AA-as a fair inference that it had been due to the depression.