CHILD SPEEDWAY DRIVERS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27916, 13 March 1956, Page 14

CHILD SPEEDWAY DRIVERS

National Prohibition Suggested DISCUSSION BY CITY COUNCIL Whether a request will be made to the Government to introduce legislation to prohibit driving of cars on speedways by children is to be' considered by the by-laws committee of the City Council. Cr. W. P. Glue referred to the recent fatal accident to a nine-year boy driving a midget car at Rakaia when the council met last evening. Young children were not allowed to drive on the roads. Could they drive cars at the speedway without a licence. “That is a matter for the police, not for the City Council, which is concerned only with the adequacy of the arrangements- for safety in case of fire and the sanitary arrangements.” said Cr. T. H. r McCombs (chairman of the by-laws committee). Cr. L. G. Amos: It is a oublic place. The speedway was not a public road. Cr. McCombs replied. It was private property. The council licensed it under the same regulations as for public halls. The safety was controlled by the police. Cr. N. R. Forbes said a prohibition of children driving could be made a condition of the licence. He could not understand the mentality of any parent allowing a child to drive. The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.): I think you are going too far. Cr. McCombs said the position should be regulated by statute and not by regulation by a local council. The Government should prohibit such driving throughout the country. The Mayor: We should take some action. Steps should be taken at once to

prohibit driving by children, said Cr. McCombs. Children coulc not get a licence to drive a motor-eir until they were 15 years of age, sail the Mayor. “If you study the law, the licence is to drive on a public road,” replied Cr. McCortbs. “Many farmers’ sons drive tractors on private property; and this was on pr vate property.”