Mufti Patrols Called ‘Alien’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31167, 17 September 1966, Page 1

Mufti Patrols Called ‘Alien’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, September 16.

Plain clothes traffic patrols were described as “alien” and “at conflict with modern democratic principles” by a delegate at the annual conference of the Automobile Association today.

The delegate, Dr. G. B. A. Cowie, of Wairarapa, said the use of “secret road patrol cars” should concern not only motorists but all New Zealanders.

“It sets a dangerous precedent and could affect other parts of our lives.” said Dr. Cowie.

He was moving a Wairarapa remit “that this conference, representing more than 400,000 private motorists, request the Minister of Transport in the interests of road safety to replace the present secret road patrol cars with an equal number of uniformed officers in conspicuously marked patrol cars.” The preventive value of mufti patrols was insignificant because they waited for an offence to be committed before moving, said Dr. Cowie.

“Such practices make for unnecessary convictions, do nothing for the motorists, and only serve to destroy the good relations between the motorist and the Transport Department,” he said.

The conference decided to authorise its council to seek further information from the Minister before deciding whether to ask for replacement of the patrol.