ABSOLUTE LIABILITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 9

ABSOLUTE LIABILITY.

ROAD ACCIDENT DAMAGES.

PROTEST BV MOTORISTS,

(By Telegraph.— Own Correspondent.) DUNEDIN, this day. "It is a monstrous suggestion that motorists should bo held responsible for every accident on the road," declared the president at a meeting of the Automobile Association (Otago) when the following motion was carried:—"That this meeting approves the action of the North and South Island Motor Unions in opposing the principle of absolute liability for damages arising out of injuries sustained by the use of motor vehicles.

The consequence of the throwing of all the liability on motorists would be an increase in insurance companies' premiums, said a member. That was a certainty and the motoring associations would have to fight the proposed legislation to their utmost. It was a travesty of British justice that the whole responsibility should be thrown on the motorists when they had not contributed to accidents.

"This is one of the reasons why every motorist should join up with the association. If a united protest were made it would have to be listened to. because the votes of all the motorists in New Zealand would amount to a verv tidv quantity," said the president. "I think it is a most iniquitous piece of legislation," remarked another speaker.