TWO NEW BILLS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 237, 19 July 1947, Page 2

TWO NEW BILLS

POLICE AND CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE /(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July IS. A consolidation, of the law governing- the establishment and regulation of the Police Force is contained in the Police Force Bill introduced and read a first time in thei House of Representatives to-day. The Minister in Charge of Police, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, said there were a few minor alterations to> which the House could address itself in the second reading debate. The apportionment of liability in cases of contributory negligence is provided for in the Contributory Negligence Bill introduced ill the House to-day. The Bill, which is similar to the legislation recently adopted in England, Avas read a second time pro fjjjrma and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.

- The Minister in Charge, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, said the law relating to negligence Avas complex, particularly as affecting certain cases of collision on the road, such as where both drivers Avere negligent and one Avas injured. At present there was no remedy to either party because both were negligent, irrespective of the degree of negligence on one side or the other. Mr Mason said the Bill would follow the more logical step recently taken ip England. A person Avas not disentitled to a remedy because of slight negligence.