ROAD SAFETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1937, Page 11

ROAD SAFETY

WORK OF THE COUNCIL

POSITION EXPLAINED

Commenting upon an article in the "Evening Post" of Tuesday last concerning the apparent cessation of the activities of the Road Safety Council, the Hon. H.. G. R. Mason, acting for the Minister of Transport, stated today that the council was still in active being. "It is correct to say that no meetings of the full council have been held during the present year," said Mr. Mason, "but consultation with the council has been maintained by way of correspondence. For instance, in regard to. the recently issued road codo, the Transport Department undertook the work of preparation, and a draft of the code was circulated to members of the council and their comments and advice obtained.

"The council is not, of course, an executive body, and its existence does not depend upon the availability of finance. It was brought into being as the result of a resolution passed at a widely representative conference last year that a body should be set up to advise upon road safety questions. A series of recommendations was made by the council, and effect has been given to some of these, and others are under attention. CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT.

"I may mention," said Mr. Mason, "that one of the recommendations of one of the council's committees was that there should be co-operation between1 the various automobile associations and the Government in carrying on the campaign. This recommendation was circulated to the other members of the council, and was generally endorsed, and as a result, communications were forwarded by the Hon. R. Semple to the North and South Island Motor Unions inviting the associations to join in a co-operative movement. The associations have had this proposal under consideration, and it is expected that their replies will be received shortly.

"This organisation aspect of the campaign will be among the matters to be discussed at the council's next meeting, which my colleague, Mr. Semple, had intended to call, but which on account of his absence,,and at his request, I have arranged to convene. This meeting will take place'next week."