PROSECUTION OF MOTORISTS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22136, 5 July 1937, Page 10

PROSECUTION OF MOTORISTS

INTOXICATION CHARGES

HEARING BY MAGISTRATE SUGGESTED

ITHE PRESS Special Servlce.l WELLINGTON, July 3. The possibility of taking steps to 'have aH cases involving drunken ■motorists heard, by Magistrates was mentioned by the Minister for Transport (the Hen. R. Semple) today, I when commenting on the resolution pasled by the Canterbury JusUceso the Peace Association exptessmg re ■sentment at his criticism of the lem cnt treatment extended to intoxicated ■motorists by some Justices of the criticising the action of the Justices of the Peace in Blenheim, said Mr Semple. "I had in mind several fairly recent cases which had been brought to my notice. Outstanding among these have been cases at Ma*terton and Invercargill. which were iully reported in the press recently. At Masterton the Bench, which comprised two Justices of the Peace, imposed a fine of £2 and took no action of any kind to deal with the offenders licence. At Invercargill some months ago there was also a case -where the lenient punishment meted out by Justices of the Peace attracted public attention. "I want to make it clear," continued Mr Semple, "that I had no intention of casting any reflection on Justices of the Peace generally, who, all wiu recognise, are an essential and important part of our judicial system. "I haveTaeen entrusted by the people of New Zealand with the duty of making our roads safe. The plain fact is that drunkenness among motordrivers is increasing, and I am continually receiving representations to take steps'in the interests of human safety to prevent it. This is a decided contrast to other classes of motoring offences, all of which are on the decline. It has been pointed out to me time and time again that there are some Justices who do not appreciate the seriousness of the position, and I do reiterate the statement I made in Christchurch that the decisions in some cases have been appalling. "Magistrates all over the Dominion recognise the great peril of an Increase in intoxication cases, and where the offence has become prevalent they have not hesitated to impose imprisonment. They have definitely and resolutely refused to listen to any plea for the suppression of the accused's name or for the retention of his driving licence. It is cancelled for varying terms. "They have the support of the Supreme Court also. The Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in dismissing an appeal against conviction and cancellation of a driver's licence for dangerous driving on June 4 last said: 'I am not prepared to shorten the term of suspension. I think that very often that is the real punishment and that it is much more effective than a mere fine as a deterrent to other motorists. "I propose to discuss the matter ■with my colleague, the Minister for Justice," announced Mr Semple, "as I consider it may be necessary to make arrangements that all cases of drunken motorists come before a Magistrate. Although this may mean that in some instances the accused will have to be remanded for a week or two until a Magistrate holds a Court, I consider that this offence is so serious that this step may be fully warranted.

"I repeat itgajn that the statement I made in criticism of the judgment of the Justices of the Peace was not a general indictment against all Justices. Here are my words as they appeared in my statement, which was published in all the newspapers throughout the Dominion: 'lt is another demonstration and a glaring one of the leniency In ■which some Justices of the Peace view cases of drunken drivers brought before them. A Magistrate would never have handled this case in such a way, and the Court records prove that beyond all doubt.* How the gentlemen who are responsible for the resolution in the press can, by any stretch of imagination, accuse me of slighting all Justices of the Peace is beyond my comprehension. "I have no apology to make and no regrets to express to the Justices of the Peace who resented my attack upon what I believe to be miscarriages of justice, or to anybody else throughout this Dominion. "I look at this question from the point of view of the saving of human life, and I am determined to put an end to the drunken driver, who turns his motor-car into an infernal machine and himself into a potential murderer. I should be lacking in my duty as Minister for Transport if I did not take every step poscible to prevent this unnecessary slaughter, particularly by men who have not got sufficient decency to control their own bodies, let alone to protect the lives uf their fellow citizens."