“Mufti” Patrol Cars

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30839, 26 August 1965, Page 12

“Mufti” Patrol Cars

Si’, —Congratulations to the Minister on his action, long overdue. Motorists who abide by the regulations have nothing to fear. Catch the dangerous and potential killers uy all means possible, and make the fines severe.— Yours, etc., C. A. BRUCE. August 25, 1965. Sir, —Every New Zealander, including myself, has the greatest respect for our traffic officers and the fine work they do in patrolling our highways. It was the Government’s measure in this matter, not the patrol men themselves, to which I objected Anything misleading, as when the public might think the driver of a car a civilian when in fact he is a traffic officer in plain clothes, is not democratic. If accepted without a challenge, this can give a government the green light to further clamp the heavy hand of the State on the democratic rights of the people. The retesting of second offenders, with a special plate attached to their vehicle, would be far more effective 'and cheaper as the offender would pay for the test and the 'plate. Anything that hints at snooper tactics is not democratic.—Yours, etc., F.W.P.F. August 25, 1965.