TIGHTENING UP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 134, 8 June 1936, Page 9

TIGHTENING UP.

MINISTER'S COMMENT.

BRIEF EXPLANATION GIVEN. MOTOR CAR CONVERSION ? (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Kpporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister of Transport, Mr. Seniple, briefly explained the bill clause by clause. The reason, he said, that caravans had been included wa% that they were likely to become a menace and a danger to the road. They were at present regarded as a place of abode, and did not come under the scope of the motor vehicles law. Therefore the new definition of "trailer" would in-, elude "caravan-trailer." In respect to the clause providing a maximum speed limit of 30 miles an hour in cities, boroughs and town districts, he hoped the House would fully discuss the question.

The clause making it an offence to drive a motor vehicle without due care and attention drew the Leader of the Opposition, who remarked: "Don't you have to drive a car now with reasonable care 1" The Minister: Many people do not. I want to tighten up the section.. If we cannot get an offender with the first barrel we will get him with the next if he has not learnt his lesson. If he is still a menace to the road, he must be punished more severely on his second offence. The Minister said that he had included a clause which increased the general penalty for offences from a fine not exceeding £10 to one not exceeding £50. It was again a case of "tightening up." All Traffic. Referring to the clause enabling regulations to be made for the control of any form of traffic other than motor traffic, Mr. Semple said cyclists were .included, but he had an open mind as to what would be done respecting them. The reason power was being taken for the Minister of Transport to disallow any traffic by-law made by a local authority was to obtain uniformity from the North Cape to the Bluff, said the Minister. There were 323 local bodies concerned, and the multiplicity of varying by-laws led to chaos. "The object of the bill is to create greater safety on the road," concluded the Minister. Mr. J. Hargest (National, Awarua): Will you tighten up the law in regard to conversion of cars? Mr. Semple: That is a very serious question. The Minister in Charge of Police, Mr. P. Fraser: That comes under the Police Offences Act. Mr. Semple: Under the Police Offences Act it can and will be done.