MOTOR INSURANCE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 6, 2 October 1937, Page 15

MOTOR INSURANCE

A.A. Executive Opposes Change In Law

PREMIUMS WOULD

INCREASE

Entire disapproval of the proposal to remove the necessity of proving negligence in suits for damages incurred in road accidents has been expressed by the executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington) in a conference it has had with the Minister of Justice, Hon. H. G. R. Mason. This information is conveyed to members of the association in a leaflet distributed with the annual report. “Comment was made in the last annual report concerning certain proposals advanced that compensation should be paid to any person suffering injury as the result of an accident with a motor-vehicle, regardless of the degree of negligence on the part of the driver of the vehicle,” states the report. "As this report is being written, an announcement comes forward from the Minister of Justice that he intends to introduce during the current session of Parliament a Bill which will provide for the payment of compensation to all persons injured by motorcars, whether or not negligence can be shown in relation to the driver of the vehicle. As details of the Minister’s proposals are not available, the executive refrains ar. this stage from commenting, but members can rest assured that no effort will Lie spared in preserving their interests and rights in this very important matter.” The leaflet, which is an appeal by the chairman of the executive to members to attend.the annual meeting, states in reference to the proposed legislation“ The most serious aspect of this proposal is, that motorists will carry the entire responsibility for all accidents in which injuries are caused to a .third-party, whether motorist or pedestrian, and that responsibility will carry with it a substantial increase in third-party risk premium rates up to probably £3 to £4 per annum. In conference with the Minister in conjunction with all motoring organisations throughout New Zealand, we have expressed our entire disapproval of tiie proposed Bill, and my executive feels that we should have your personal support and the largest number of members present at the meeting, to enable them to hear a full explanation of the proposal and record by resolution the opposition of our 7600 members.”