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8
Wednesday, June 20, 1973.
"This is a matter of great importance," said Mr. Hobley, but it
is one which calls for careful study having due regard to the various, and
sometimes conflicting, factors involved."
Mr. Hobley stressed that the object of the bill was to provide a
means whereby a build-up of criminal cases awaiting trial could be tackled
It did not increase the sentence for existing offences neither
did it create new offences.
if necessary.
The proposals to increase the sentencing powers of District Court
Judges and certain magistrates were made in the face of a steady rise in the
number of criminal cases, he said, because it was essential in the interest
of accused persons and in the public interest that there should be no avoid-
able delay in bringing accused persons to trial.
Although both the Magistrates (Amendment) Bill 1973 and the District
Court (Amendment) Bill 1973 were relevant to the Fight Violent Crime Campaign,
he said, "they are not in themselves a weapon in the fight against crime."
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