Crimes Bill Held Over (Press, 23 September 1960)

On 23 September 1960, it was reported that the Crimea Bill, which had been introduced to the New Zealand Parliament in 1957, was unlikely to advance during the current session. The Minister of Justice, Mr Mason, stated that the final decision on the bill's progression rested with the Prime Minister, Mr Nash. The delay is attributed to many government members preferring to avoid controversy as the election campaign approaches, particularly regarding the proposal to abolish capital punishment and provisions related to homosexual offences. The hold-up of the Crimes Bill is significant because it results in the continued relevance of the existing Crimes Act, which is now in a situation of conflicting penalties with the recently enacted Police Offences Amendment Act. For instance, the Police Offences Amendment Act states that individuals can face a penalty of up to three months' imprisonment, or a fine of up to £50, for fighting in a public place. Conversely, the Crimes Act of 1908 imposes a maximum penalty of one year's imprisonment for the same offence. Further discrepancies include the penalty for disturbing public worship; under the Police Offences Amendment Act, the fine is set at £50, while the Crimes Act imposes a mere £2 penalty. Additionally, a new development emerged with the Health Amendment Bill, which was introduced on the same day, seeking to remove attempted suicide from the criminal realm, effectively treating it as a medical issue. This change would grant authorities the discretion to either commit individuals attempting suicide to a hospital, place them in the care of relatives, or impose a two-year imprisonment. Mr Nash indicated that the parliamentary session might conclude by 28 October 1960, suggesting that numerous pieces of legislation, including the Crimes Bill, Criminal Justice Amendment Bill, Summary Proceedings Amendment Bill, and Chiropractors’ Bill, are at risk of being postponed or lapsing altogether. The situation reflects the complexities surrounding legislation reform and societal issues as the government navigates its political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.

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