THE BEST REMEDY

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 247, 2 July 1926, Page 8

THE BEST REMEDY

s. INTOXICATED MOTORISTS “STOP THEM DRIVING,” SAYS MAGISTRATE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Paliiatua, July 1. In fining a farmer £lO and suspending his license for reckless motoring while intoxicated, the Magistrate made some interesting comments. He said that he did not believe in the infliction of heavy penalties in this class of case, which was contrary to the opinion of some other Magistrates. Fines up to £7O had been inflicted, and the law provided for a penalty of £lOO or three months’ imprisonment. It did not necessarily follow that an offender would be' filled. That was only part of the penalty; the other part was gaol. It was perfectly right that a somewhat severe penalty should be provided for. There were some men who should never drive a car. The opinion ha?, been expressed by one of the Supreme Court Judges that one whisky made a man unfit to control a car as it dulled the keen edge of his perception and made him that little bit extra reckless sufficient to bring him into trouble. With high-powered cars instant adaptability was necessary. The time was coming when it would be foolish for any driver of a car to have any liquor whatever. Counsel pointed out that defendant had two farms fourteen miles apart, with his car as the only means of communication. The Magistrate said that he was aware of. the severity of the punishment, but there were hundreds doing the same every day as defendant had done. Tbev had to be shown some example. His viewpoint was that to stop these offenders driving was the best remedy. He was not prepared to alter his decision.