INTOXICATED DRIVERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 149, 19 March 1936, Page 4

INTOXICATED DRIVERS

Cancellation of licenses Urged VIEWS OF JUSTICES Concern at the increase in the number of cases of intoxication while in charge of motor-cars was expressctl hy delegates at the conference of the Federation of New Zealand Justices' Associations yesterday, ami an amended remit was passed urging flint more attention be given to tin- cancellation of driving licenses. The original reniii. from the Southland association suggested that it should be made compulsory on conviction for the license of the offender to be suspended for a period tif not less than six inontbs. In proposing the remit. Mr. W. A. Ott said i.t was generally felt th.il further steps should be taken to decrease that class of offence. In many cases th.; cancellation of licenses would deter motorists from offending more than inflicting a term of imprisonment. Mr. A. Lawrence Gee (South Canterbury) suggested that: where a motorist I had caused the deatli or serious injury of a person, judges'should be given the power to order the confiscation of the motor-cat.

Mr. IL W. Lloyd (Wellington) said no one seemed to realise that it was the slow motorist who caused half the accidents. It was frequently necessary on rhe Hutt Road to pull out to avoid the slow driver.

Mr. H. W. Shortt (Wellington) said lie thought the remit was rather drastic, and that, each case should be considered on its merits.

The president, Mr. IL 11. Seaton, said that compulsory minimum penalties were always dangerous. There were cases where a minimum penalty was too severe, and the tendency was then to take a merciful course and dismiss the charge. In such a case the legislation defeated itself.