TRAFFIC WARDEN PROPOSAL

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28748, 20 November 1958, Page 3

TRAFFIC WARDEN PROPOSAL

“Contrary To British

Justice” (New Zealand Press Association) PALMERSTON NTH., Nov. 19 A suggestion to inaugurate a system of motor traffic wardens to police traffic, but without power of prosecution, was opposed by the Manawatu Automobile Association at its meeting last night. The suggested system was contrary to British justice and should be opposed, said Mr G. H. Lusk. The association received a letter protesting strongly against the scheme. The writer of the letter said the scheme was working reasonably well with the Palmerston North motor-cycle clubs, but it would be far more difficult to select the required number of satisfactory wardens for cars.

In the scheme operated by the motor-cycle clubs. the wardens were not known, said Mr ,W. H. Brown, the president. The project had been very successful in Palmerston North. It did cause a considerable amount of trouble when it was first initiated, but it was now accepted. There would be an outcry from one end of the country to the other if the scheme was put into operation in the Dominion, he said. He suggested it should be referred to the North Island Motor Union.

The vice-president, Mr T. M. N. Rodgers, said it was not a question of the wardens being known but the selection of the officers. It would give someone an opportunity to “pot” another motorist anonymously and would give scope for personal feeling. There would be no means of testing the allegations of the spotter, he said. It was contrary to justice and should be condemned from the start, said Mr Rodgers.