MOTOR ACCIDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 59, 7 September 1937, Page 7

MOTOR ACCIDENTS

PROPOSED LEGISLATION

7CONCERN EXPRESSED ,

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

DUNJEDIN, September 6.

Grave concern'was expressed to the "Otago Daily Times" today by the president of the Automobile Association (Otago), Mr. F. J. Williams,.when he was asked to comment on the proposed legislation designed to remove the necessity for proving negligence as a basis of damages for injuries,caused by motor-cars. He said that motorists could rest assured that their interests in this respect would be closely, watched by motor organisations throughout New Zealand. ■ - > , . ■ •

Mr. Williams said he was not prepared to comment at length on the Attorney-General's intentions, but he described them as "no good." The legislation which it was proposed to introduce was of the greatest interest to all motorists,1 and i they, should fol-1 low it carefully. The question would' no doubt be fully discussed at annual, meetings qf motor unions, and members could-be sure that their various organisations would watch events very closely. ' Another prominent member of the Automobile Association stated that the proposal was a. very drastic one, and in some respects could be expected to cause some apprehension among carowners. He thought that the measure should not be adopted in haste, but he' was convinced that, with certain safeguards, it .could operate to the mutual advantage of motorist and victim. At,least the driver of a car i involved in an accident would have I more certainty as to where he stood in the matter of liability. At .first glance it appeared to be a further imposition on a section of the community which at the present time appeared to be cai-rying "other people's babies," but it was possible for a change in the direction indicated to be advantageous to all concerned except, perhaps, insurjance companies, who might consider it I necessary to increase premiums.