DRUNKEN DRIVING

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 12

DRUNKEN DRIVING

Petition For Review Of Law (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. A petition for a review of the laws on the prosecution of intoxicated persons in charge of motor-vehicles was presented in the House of Representatives this afternoon.

It asks for particular consideration of two points:— (1) that persons found to be intoxicated who have by contributory negligence or otherwise caused death should be charged as having committed manslaughter; and (2) that consideration be given to the deterrent effect of a mandatory term of imprisonment for a second conviction.

The object of the petition is said to be to reduce the incidence of drunken driving. In the name of H. I. Shaw, a minister of religion, of Petone, and 1363 others, the petition was presented by Mr P. N. Holloway (Opposition, Heretaunga).

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE

Consolidation Bill Before House

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 4. Another of the Government’s big consolidation measures—the Public Trust Office Bill—was introduced in the House of Representatives this afternoon. The present law has been amended to bring the law relating to the Public Trust Office into line with present-day practice in the constitution of Government departments. One of the most important new sections in the bill deals with .unclaimed property and in particular where squatters have taken possession of unclaimed land. The Public Trustee is to be permitted to sell the land to such occupiers and to take into account improvements that have been made by the occupier. Previously such improvements could not be taken into account, and the squatters have shown no inclination to put their titles in order;

There is also provision to decentralise the control of the Public Trust Office. The bill comes into force on April 1, 1958.