STRAYING STOCK ON ROADS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27463, 24 September 1954, Page 7

STRAYING STOCK ON ROADS

“Government Shirking The Issue” MOTOR UNION TO WAIT ON MR HOLLAND (New Zealand Press Association} TAUPO, September 23. Persons were being maimed and killed as a result of Government inactivity in dealing with the problem ot wandering stock on the roads, said Mr T. M. N. Rodgers (Palmerton North) at the annual conference of the North Island Motor Union at Wairakei today. “It talks about road safety, and yet it allows this menace to continue and is apparently prepared to allow’ it to continue.” he said. “I’ve been unable to find out why nothing has been done,” he added. ‘At no stage has any Minister or departmental head had anything more than sympathy for our representations, and referred us to someone else, who also is merely sympathetic. All acknowledge the danger, but do nothing about i*'“Past governments have shirked the issue, and the present Government is still shirking it. It will be forgotten unless we press for it. We should take a strong line, and express our grave disapproval.” . , Two years ago the union made representations that farmers should be liable for civil damages m accidents involving their stock. The Automobile Association of Taranaki introduced a remit asking for legislation in line with a Parliamentary report to the House of Commons “that the occupier should be responsible for all damage caused to persons or chattels by cattle or poultry which escape owing to a breach of duty, whether or not acting in accordance with their drdinary nature, and that “the onus should be on the defendant to show that he acted without negligen At‘’’present, said Mr H. W Dowling (Hawke’s Bay), the owner of straying stock was completely exempted from civil liability for damage. The reason for the union’s action was a wish to see justice for persons injured. It was decided to send a deputation to the Prime Minister (Mr Holland).